Chapter 15 - Assimulo Vita
Harry had a busy week between exercising with the lowaar, classes, homework, Quidditch practice, and discussions with Charok and Treith about solving the challenge of giving movement back to the Headmaster's cursed hand and arm. So demanding and hectic was his schedule that he had thrust the events from the reading of Sirius' will to the back of his mind.
He was mentally reviewing the Potion recipe in a mental discussion outside the Charms class room with Charok and Treith when he was distracted by a snappish "Potter!" He blinked and looked up to see Millicent Bulstrode's large form glaring at him.
He gave her a slight smile and inclined his head politely. "Good day Miss Bulstrode, my apologies for my distraction. How may I assist you today?"
Her lips thinned at his well-mannered comment. "Being aware of one's surroundings and others is something most of us learned as children. Of course allowances must be given to those raised without such decorum." She sighed theatrically. "I do hope that Draco's choice of a Muggle-raised mate with no knowledge of the traditions and protocols of the Old Families won't embarrass him in his new role as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black." She swept by him into the class room as Draco came towards them.
The raven-haired teen gave the blonde an amused smile. "Draco, is there anything you want to tell me regarding your history with Millicent Bulstrode?"
The smile of pleasure at seeing Harry was replaced by a slightly perplexed glance. "Millicent? There really isn't a personal history. Being in the same age group, we attended the same social gatherings over the years, but we've never been particularly close." He tipped his head as he considered. "Her father proposed a potential matrimonial contract when she was one year old, but so did the Parkinsons and Greengrasses. Why?"
Harry grinned at the blonde as they entered the class room. "Because she seems to be jealous of me and I thought you might have shared a tryst or three." He considered Draco's words as they sat down and removed their texts and supplies for the class. "You had three marriage contracts offers when you were a baby?"
"It's not uncommon. Some parents probably suggested the same to your parents when you were born." Harry was saved from responding by Professor Flitwick beginning his lecture, but couldn't stop wondering whether he might be betrothed by now if his parents had survived.
By mid-week, Charok was satisfied with the potion recipe and Treith with his complicated spell to simulate true skin with texture, warmth and graduated color hues. Between them, they decided it was time to form the glove that would be used in the effort. Harry shut the door to his room and went to his improved trunk. Aironth had enhanced its security that summer so that it required both a spoken password and a hand imprint to open. Harry shifted the top layers until he reached the false bottom, and pressed the six glyphs in the proper order to unlock the hidden space. His Juanth Darastrix treasures were stored here, including the many welcoming gifts the Clan had given him. He carefully retrieved the shed dragon hide and a knife made from a dragon claw. Under Charok's careful direction, he cut the hide until there was enough for a glove reaching to the elbow. He cut another piece in case it was needed to cover the elbow to the shoulder.
Using a Juanth Darastrix Artisan spell taught to him by Treith, he fashioned a lightweight but exceptionally durable glove from the cut material. Finally both Charok and Treith reviewed and tested their ingellar until he was fully versed in both the brewing and the spell casting. At length, they announced him prepared enough to share the recipe and spell with Draco and Snape.
Harry came out of his room to find Draco engrossed in an essay of some type. He hesitantly cleared his throat, and the blonde looked up.
"Yes, Harry?" he said with his quill poised over the essay.
"I think the potion recipe and the spell are as ready as they're going to be. I wanted to see if you would like to review it before I bring it to Professor Snape."
Curiosity bloomed on the other teen's face and he quickly put the quill down, and set aside his essay. "Do you honestly think I would be able to work on this" he swept his hand across the table "when I could be looking at a new potion recipe? Where is it? Let me see!"
Harry chuckled at the blonde's enthusiasm and brought the two pages out from behind his back as he walked over to the other teen. Draco practically snatched the parchments from his hand and quickly began scanning the potion recipe. After standing quietly several minutes watching the absorbed teen, Harry returned to his room and tried to focus on his Transfiguration homework and wait patiently for the blonde to be finished.
He was halfway through the essay when he heard Draco call from the other room. Leaving his homework, he returned to the common area and hid a grin at the variety of books spread around blonde. He noticed "Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean" and "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" were both opened and propped up for easy reference.
The blonde teen looked at him inquisitively. "Harry, how can you not be at the top of the class in Potions? You've adapted the existing Facticius Corium potion in such an ingenious manner, it boggles the mind. Severus is going to be flabbergasted. This is going to make an incredible paper for a potions journal, perhaps "The Practical Potioneer".
Charok's rumbling voice chuckled "I knew I liked that boy" in Harry's mind and the dark-haired teen flashed a mental grin at his lowaar. "He is enthusiastic, isn't he" the teen agreed.
"Come on, Harry." The blonde stood and grabbed the other teen's hand. "Severus has already had his last class. You need to show these to him immediately." Draco dragged the other teen out of the room and down to the dungeon, dropping his hand only when they saw other students in the hallway.
The two boys checked the classroom first, but it was empty. Draco immediately walked to the Potion Master's office and knocked. At the curt "Enter", he opened the door and gestured for Harry to precede him.
The Potion Master's face was impassive when he saw Harry, but an eyebrow rose above his obsidian eyes when he observed Draco's excitement. The blonde approached the desk and laid the parchment pages down over the papers the older man had been grading.
Before a reprimand could be given, Draco smiled cheekily and said "Trust me, Severus. You won't want to grade papers after you take a few minutes to look at this." When the older man frowned, Draco grinned. "Two minutes. Just look at it for two minutes."
With a martyred sigh, the older man picked up the Potions recipe. Draco sat down gracefully in one of the chairs before the desk and gestured Harry to the other, but the dark-hair teen declined until invited by Snape himself. Instead he stood quietly and watched the older man's face.
Severus read through the potion recipe once slowly. Then true to Draco's prediction, he sat down slowly as he re-read it. He leaned back in his chair and reached for a book behind him without looking up and brought it back to the desk even as he stared intently at the parchment. He turned to the book and quickly flipped through the pages until he found what he wanted, then flicked his eyes between the parchment and book. After several more minutes, he left his desk to walk over to a far shelf, and withdrew another book, turning the well-worn pages gently as he returned to his desk.
At Draco's snicker of amusement, the older man looked up and seemed surprised to see the two teens still before his desk. "You are excused for now. I will expect you back at 8:00 tonight." He sat down again and ignored the teens as he reached for a quill with one hand and a fresh sheet of parchment with the other and then began to jot notes quickly.
Harry quietly opened the door and gestured silently for Draco, who stood and smirked smugly. After the door was shut the Slytherin said "Severus loves research. He's going to cross-reference every plant you added or replaced as well as each temperature change you made in the brewing process and the number of stirs. The man is absolutely passionate about his potions."
Harry heard amusement erupt among his lowaar. "Now who does that sound like Charok? Hmmm?" laughed Ortinoth.
"Any Master of his craft should be passionate about it" replied Charok unperturbed. "Would you be complacent about strategies and safety precautions, Ortinoth?"
"Point taken" admitted the other with good humor. "Well ghergo'ir, it appears you and Charok will have an interesting discussion tonight."
Harry chuckled at his lowaar and then paused. "Treith, would you mind if I showed Professor Flitwick a copy of your new spell?"
"Not at all, ghergo'ir. I would be interested in his comments" replied the Spellcrafter.
As the teens approached their quarters, Harry spoke up. "Draco, I'm going to get a copy of the spell and bring it to Professor Flitwick for his comments. I'll probably head to dinner from there."
"Flitwick? Good idea. Do you mind if I accompany you? I would be interested in his reaction as well."
With Harry's agreement, the two teens were soon at the Charms Master's office. The diminutive professor greeted them with a smile. "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter. What can I do for you today?"
Harry stepped forward holding the parchment with a copy of the spell. "Actually Professor, I was working on a method to help the Headmaster regain the use of his injured hand and arm. Professor Snape is looking over a variation of the Facticius Corium potion and I wondered if you would review this spell?"
Flitwick climbed up on the chair behind his desk. "An adaption of the Artificial Skin potion? I assume you found a way around the fact that the curse damaged the tissue too greatly?" At Harry's nod, he looked more interested. "And you have a spell to help? Of course I'll review it, Mr. Potter."
Harry handed over the parchment and the Charms Master read through the spell and notes. "Assimulo Vita, eh?" His eyebrows rose as he read and his lips began to twitch. He snapped his hand and his wand appeared in it. "Arm holster" Harry realized. Aironth had been adamant that Harry stop carrying his wand in his back pocket and a Clan member had crafted a custom holster for him. He couldn't imagine carrying his wand anywhere else now. Apparently the Charms Master agreed.
Flitwick waved his wand in an elaborate gesture mouthing the words of the spell. "The downward slash needs to be sharper" advised Treith. Harry stepped forward as he withdrew his own wand. "If you please, Professor?" The older man looked up and nodded, so Harry went through the intricate motions of the spell. Draco drew his own wand and attempted to duplicate the motions as Flitwick did the same.
The Charms Master radiated interest and excitement. "Well done, Mr. Potter! What is this 'glove' referenced in the instructions?"
"Because the Headmaster's arm is too cursed with inadequate healthy tissue, the idea is to apply the artificial skin to magical material fashioned into the form of a glove. The potion will adhere to the glove and the spell will animate the mixture to act like real skin and respond to his intent as an extension of his hand and arm."
"Brilliant, Mr. Potter! I don't recall ever seeing this spell. Where did you find it? Or did you develop it yourself?"
"Not exactly" Harry prevaricated. "Speaking as a Charms Master, what is your opinion, Professor? Do you endorse using this spell for the Headmaster?"
"Endorse it? If Professor Snape sanctions the potion, then I insist on it! And on being there to watch the spell casting and its effects, as well."
The two teens grinned broadly. "Thank you, Professor. We will find out Professor Snape's judgment of the potion later tonight."
"Excellent work, truly excellent." He was interrupted in his praise as the charmed clock in his office called out "Five minutes to dinner, get a move on!" The Charms Master chuckled. "You heard the clock. Head down to the Great Hall for dinner and keep me advised!"
Draco and Harry stood outside the Potion Master's office a few minutes before 8:00 PM. They hadn't seen the taciturn man at dinner, and Draco was certain he was too engrossed in the potion recipe to be bothered. Harry raised his hand to stop Draco from knocking and then called out quietly "Dobby!"
The house elf popped in and bowed to both teens. "Yes Master Harry Potter sir? Master Draco? How can Dobby serve you?"
Harry smiled at the eager house elf. "Professor Snape missed dinner, Dobby. Would you prepare a plate for him and a pot of tea?"
The small figure nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes Master Harry Potter, sir! Master Professor Snape shouldn't miss dinner. Dobby will make him a plate!" He popped out quickly.
At Draco's amused smile, Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Our actions caused him to miss dinner. It's only courteous to ensure he eats" he murmured.
Draco smirked and knocked, his smirk growing as "Enter!" was immediately barked.
The door had barely closed before the Potions Master began asking questions. "Why did you add Neem oil, Potter?"
Dobby popped back into the room with a tray. Snape frowned and snapped "What is that?"
"Dinner for the Potion Master, sir. You shouldn't be missing dinner, sir."
The obsidian eyes narrowed. "I didn't ask for dinner. Take it away." Dobby's ears drooped and his eyes grew misty.
Draco quickly said "You missed dinner Severus, and Harry said as it was on our account, it was only courteous to be sure you had something." He smirked at Harry's embarrassed glare.
Before the Potion Master could say more, Harry said "Why don't you start eating and I'll explain the Neem oil, sir?" When the older man frowned, Harry gave him an innocent smile, but folded his hands across his chest, intending to make a stand as Clan courtesy demanded. The older man glared at Harry for several long moments, but it was apparent that the Gryffindor wasn't going to budge.
With a growl, the Potion Master raised the tray lid and took a bowl of soup in his hand, lifting one spoonful to his mouth, while glaring at Harry. As soon as his lips closed on the spoon, Harry began talking. "Neem oil is from a fast-growing evergreen typically found in tropical or sub-tropical areas. The oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the tree. It has some detoxifying agents in it, so it's useful for the treatment of skin infections and other problems. It was added to this potion to help make the artificial skin smooth and aid in the skin elasticity."
"And the Enteromorpha Compressa?" Harry paused and fixed his eyes on the spoon. With a near snarl, the Potion Master took another spoonful and Harry immediately began speaking again. "It's an extract from a green sea algae which softens and calms the skin and is also an anti-inflammatory. Between the two, the skin will look and feel more like real skin."
Snape continued to query him on every step of the recipe and brewing instructions, meeting Charok's approval with his insightful questions. To Draco's amusement, his godfather actually ate everything on the tray without seeming to realize it as he barraged the Gryffindor with questions.
"Tell me about the 'glove' you intend to use" Snape demanded as he filled his cup with tea again.
"Because the Headmaster's skin won't accept the artificial skin, we need to apply it to something that will accept it. A magical hide will retain it and will assist in the animation spell, permitting the Headmaster to use it. A glove made of a form of dragon hide is ready for the procedure." He hoped no one would ask what type of dragon hide.
"What about the Assimulo Vita spell?"
"Professor Flitwick reviewed the spell and is eager to see it cast upon the application of the skin to the glove."
Snape leaned back in his chair staring at the Gryffindor, his long fingers wrapped around the teacup. He leaned forward and set the cup down heavily. "Let us be blunt, Mr. Potter. Did you develop this procedure yourself?"
Harry met and held the older man's eyes. "Not alone, no sir. I had assistance from the companions with whom I spent the summer, Sir."
Draco glanced at his Mate and raised an eyebrow. "When did you meet with these summer companions after returning to Hogwarts, Harry?"
The dark-haired teen looked at Draco and sighed mentally at the obvious Veela jealousy. "You know where I am all the time, Draco." He reached out and touched the blonde's wrist gently as he continued. "Just as I don't know every letter you send out, I doubt you know every letter I send out." He hoped no one would notice the evasion.
Draco looked uncomfortable, but couldn't help relaxing under Harry's touch on his wrist, especially when the other teen's thumb began rubbing small circles on the Slytherin's skin. Snape observed the interaction with an impassive face before saying "I would like to meet these companions of yours, Mr. Potter."
"I'm sure you will at some point, Professor. Unfortunately, I regret it cannot be in the immediate future. However, you have the results of our combined efforts before you. What is your expert opinion? Do I have your approval to use the class room lab for the effort?"
Snape held the Gryffindor's eyes as the silence lengthened. "You may use the class room under my supervision this Sunday, Mr. Potter."
Harry gave a radiant smile to the older man and inclined his head, placing his hand on his chest and bowing from waist while seated. "I thank you, Sir. I look forward to Sunday."
Lowaar = Indwellers
Juanth Darastrix = Elder Dragons
Ingellar = Outdweller
Assimulo Vita= Simulate Life
