Summary: The war is over for everyone but Harry. He is still fighting just to survive, but he won't make it on his own. Just when he's given up, help comes along.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but I do own my imagination which takes me on wonderful adventures.
Chapter 11: Devil's Bridge
Severus spent every spare minute he had working on the restorative for Harry. Harry, in turn, agreed to research each of the ingredients used in the nerve regenerative and the additional ingredients Severus thought might be possible for its modification. This was eagerly agreed upon in order for Harry to take an active part in his own healing and because ingredient interaction was something that had always interested him.
While doing so, he managed to gather enough information that it became unmanageable. Harry decided he needed to create a system to make the comparisons and interactions easier to follow. What ensued was a variety of charts containing ingredients grouped in different ways which linked to others through a code he created. A particular ingredient would have a dedicated table listing its properties, the numerous ways of preparation and the outcomes of each. Harry also included a detailed sketch of each plant and its usable parts alongside its table. The ingredient might then appear on multiple additional charts based on the specific way the ingredient interacted with others, the part of the plant being used, the time of year or maturity when it was harvested, the method of preparation used, etc.
Severus came to take a look at what Harry was working on one evening a few days later. He stood in the centre of the room and turned slowly, taking in the vast number of charts taped to every wall. "This is very impressive research, Harry," he said, skimming through the information on the charts. "You have managed to pull together information from many different sources to create your tables. And the system you have set up for linking them is quite inspired. Ah, here is a reaction you have missed." Severus filled in the relevant spaces in the charts as Harry watched.
"Where would I have found that one?"
Severus tapped his head. "Up here. It is one of those 'Master-Apprentice things' you mentioned. You know, this compendium you are creating could easily be submitted as your Master's certification project, though it may take years to be complete. If this works the way I am envisioning, it would become an invaluable resource in any laboratory and a required text for every student of potions. I would be happy to oversee your research and make corrections and additions as necessary."
"So, we can do this as a collaboration?" Harry asked excitedly.
Severus nodded, "I also believe that doing this task will be of great value as groundwork for your apprenticeship, especially since there is little you are able to accomplish in that direction at present. Well done." Harry beamed.
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As had become customary, Poppy apparated in for breakfast on Saturday. "How goes the restorative, Severus?" she asked as she hung up her cloak.
"It's coming along. I will have three different options for trial next weekend. Originally, I was only working on one, but Harry has been doing some research for me and has come across some obscure interactions I wanted to try out, so I made two additional variations. How about you? Have you got the results of the bacteria and sweat analyses?"
Harry entered the room just then with his hair still damp from a shower. "Good Morning, Poppy. May I offer you some tea while I make breakfast?"
Poppy settled at the table in the kitchen with her tea so Harry could be included in the conversation. Severus set the table, then joined her.
"Okay. This is what I discovered. Once again, Harry, you were correct in your guess – your bacteria have mutated. They are giving off a secretion which, when mixed with your sweat, causes a gas to be created that contains a chemical signature very similar to that excreted by the fear-inducing pheromones. Your actual pheromones and sweat, seem to be normal."
"A 'normal' outcome for Harry is actually 'abnormal' when compared to anyone else. You do realise that, don't you?" Severus noted sardonically.
"That's good news, right?" Harry asked, pointedly ignoring Severus' comment, as he set down the platters of food. He poured himself some tea as well.
"I believe so," Poppy responded, also ignoring Severus' observation, but bestowing him with a disapproving look. "There does not seem to be anything biologically or chemically wrong with either your sweat or your pheromones, so we can rule out those possibilities. It will be much easier to revert the bacteria to their natural state than to create a potion that may end up having unexpected side effects. While we can pinpoint the magical relay sheathing quite easily, it would have made it much more difficult to discover the origin of the problem for the bacterial gas issue. It might have been the endocrine system, the apocrine glands, the sweat glands, the duct system or a hundred other possibilities. I think we got lucky on this diagnosis.
"In any case, I placed an owl order for some books that might be of use. They should arrive at my clinic today, so I am going back soon. I just wanted to inform you of the results.
"Well, gentlemen," Poppy said wiping her mouth and standing up. "Breakfast will be on me tomorrow morning so we can use the laboratory equipment afterwards. I will see you at my clinic around 9. Have a good day."
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The next day dawned beautifully clear and unseasonably warm with a deep blue sky and a light breeze. Harry and Severus applied their disguises and Severus called for the Knight Bus. "I'm glad breakfast is after this trip," he grumbled as they boarded.
Poppy served cheesy mushroom and onion omelettes with pan fries, a vegetable salad and fruit shakes. Once they had their fill, she invited them into her library while their breakfast digested. "These are the books I received yesterday. I found them to be quite illuminating. As far as I can tell, a majority of bacterial infections are caused by mutations of 'good' bacteria and, in nearly all cases, the correct topical antibiotic will clear it up. Severus, I think an existing antibiotic cream might possibly do the job. Should we try them out or would you rather make one yourself?"
"Well, I'd like to take a look at the research you've done, but you are correct in thinking that a cream might just do it. If we attempt to solve that issue first, we might have to wait an extra week to try out the magiglial restorative."
"Why? I want my magic back more than I want to be able to mingle with muggles. Hey, that sounds like it could be the title of the latest Lockhart book, don't you think?" Harry commented. "Couldn't we do both at the same time?"
"If I remember correctly, most antibiotic remedies take about 10 days to complete their 'cure'. I would rather not have to take into consideration any cross interactions of ingredients."
"I agree, too. You have enough problems without having to add any more on top of them."
Harry sighed, "Okay. We'll do the cream first."
"May I take a look at your notes now?"
Poppy handed him a stack of notes. "Here you go. Do you want us to help you?"
"No. I think I've got it. Why don't you show Harry around town in the meantime? There shouldn't be too many muggles around this time of day."
Poppy agreed, then commented, "You know, Harry, your hair colour is still good…" She paused and reached out to rub a few strands through her fingers. "I can't see any change since we dyed it. I wonder if by using magic on it, the colour became permanent?"
"I don't mind if it is. I've gotten used to it and I kind of like it. I think it suits me. Besides, I was thinking that it might be a good idea if Harry Potter disappeared, or even died. I could become Harden Prince permanently – an average wizard with average powers and an apprenticeship in potions."
"That's not a bad idea actually. Once your magic is back in top form, we could allow you back into civilisation again," Severus smirked.
"Funny."
"I should be done by lunch. I could meet you at that quaint little place on Hades. If I finish early enough, I might stop by the apothecary on the way to see what sort of antibiotic creams they stock. If not, we will do so on the way back."
As Harry and Poppy set out to tour the town, Harry asked, "Hades?"
"Well, since the name of the town is Devil's Bridge, many of the town's residents have decided to capitalise on the association to provide names for their businesses and streets. Some of the street names are Inferno, Satan and Abyss. We have a craft shop called 'Idle Hands', a toy store called 'Devil's Workshop', a book store called 'The Underworld' and a second-hand shop called 'Rebirth and Resurrection'. The restaurant Severus mentioned is named 'Hell's Kitchen'. They specialise in spicy food," she grinned.
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Two hours later, Poppy settled Harry at an outside table overlooking the valley below, then crossed the street to the restaurant and picked up a few menus. As she was heading back to the table, she spied Severus and waved him over. "I thought this table was far enough away not to affect the muggles. I'll bring our order over to the counter when we're ready. Then when the waiter comes over, Harry could 'take a walk'." Severus nodded, "Good idea."
They made their choices and Poppy delivered their order before Severus commented on what he'd found in Poppy's notes and the library. "I reviewed your findings and did some research on the available topical antibiotics that might work. I don't believe we will have to wait until after the antibiotic cream has run its course before we try the restorative as well. Of the ingredients that might be absorbed into your body, none of them are counteractive to the ones in the potion and the remaining ingredients do not get absorbed. So, I concluded that we might as well deal with both problems simultaneously."
"So, I could be back to normal in only a few weeks," Harry asked excitedly.
"Have you ever been normal?"
They all grinned at each other.
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A/N: While the town and place name of Devil's Bridge actually exists, my depiction of it is completely fictional. It seems to be a pleasant, quiet and picturesque town.
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Please review – I'd really like to know what you think!