A young Quirrell discovers a new use for a Muggle-cultivated plant.
Connections
"Daydreaming again, Quirrell? The Elixir won't make itself, now will it?" The disdain in Professor Slughorn's voice slapped at me.
I gulped, sputtering,"No, sir. Sorry, sir. It's just…" My words faltered as he breezed by me.
I gritted my teeth, sighing in frustration. I had let my thoughts wander away from the instructions on how to brew the Elixir to Induce Euphoria because I'd been distracted by seeing the potion construct take shape. I knew no one else seemed able to see these things, and this one was such a pretty one – a spiked, fanning structure with edges like fireworks. It had looked a bit prickly, actually. The drinker would have an unpleasant, jittery edge underlying their euphoria, rather like ingesting too much caffeine. It needed softening, mellowing…something to smooth those prickly parts.
But what? I turned this over in my mind as I added the wormwood and began to stir counterclockwise…
Later that evening, a package arrived from my favorite grandmother. She had a soft spot for me, since I reminded her occasionally of my brilliant, eccentric grandfather.
I found this vanilla orchid and thought of you, as you're so fond finicky things, Quirinushko. The flowers open only for one day to be pollinated, but their fruits are entirely worth the trouble. This one has a pod nearly ready for harvest. Enclosed is some of my apple cake that you so love, made with fresh vanilla bean extract from the parent of the plant I've sent you.
Love,
Bubbe
I tore eagerly into the package, and the smell of the apple cake wafted up, mellow and sweet.
I paused, struck by the softening aspect of the smell. Turning to the delicate plant accompanying the cake, I bent close to the dark fleshy pod, inhaling gently.
Oh. Oh yes. This would counter the prickly bits of the Elixir just perfectly, I'd bet. And then, oh yes, then Professor Slughorn would certainly take proper notice of me.
I simply needed to wait for the pod to ripen fully, and I could try it out. I inhaled its rich scent again, savoring the varied subtlety of it. Yes, this would counteract those little crackles in the potion's shape quite well.
I smiled, and took a bite of apple cake.