Disclaimer - see Chapter 01

-~/\~-

~...~ = Parseltongue

/.../ = Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)

' ... ' = thoughts

~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ = Flashback or changing POV

Chapter 19 - Confessions and Potions Projects or Past Times and Testing

Once the group was back at the Manor Carya asked to talk to Remus and Sirius for a few minutes.

"Eh, Remus, could I talk to you and Sirius for a moment? I don't know if the others want to stay but I have to tell you something," she said slightly nervous.

"Of course you can. Just wait a second. I'll ask a house-elf to bring us something to the study," Remus said and called for one, "Winky!"

She appeared immediately and Remus told her to bring tea and cookies to the study. The other kids wanted to stay though and they worried about Carya's seriousness.

/Carya, what is wrong? Is there something we don't know?/ Harry questioned.

/No, it's not. I just have to tell them about our not so allowed trip to 'Knockturn Alley'. It's better they find out now rather than later,/ she replied and fell silent.

Once they all were seated comfortably she started talking.

"Eh, do you remember that we told you about Harry's second task? Did you never wonder where we got the Gillyweed? Well, we couldn't get it in Hogsmeade because they didn't have any and neither in 'Diagon Alley' since they wouldn't sell it to us.

As you might know trading with that plant was recently restricted by the ministry and they said we were too young to buy it. So we used the only other opportunity we had ...," she said and waited for a reaction.

"You went right into 'Knockturn Alley' again, didn't you? Which one of you was with her?" Sirius asked barely able to hide his anger.

All five looked to the floor being ashamed when Harry spoke, "We all went together, all six of us and we were disguised too."

"When you were disguised why tell us now? You have done it before and apart from floo-ing there without permission I don't really see the problem," Remus said calmly and mildly curious for their explanation.

He also thought that he should try and calm his best friend down before he exploded. Sirius was far too overprotective at times. These children were going to be fifteen that summer and that meant they were nearly adults in the wizarding world.

He sensed that something bad must have happened there. The kids disguises had a certain reputation in 'Knockturn Alley'. Could it be that they had to prove those rumours this time? He waited patiently for an answer.

"You mean apart from illegally buying a potions ingredient?" Harry asked and Remus nodded.

The werewolf put his hand on Sirius' shoulder to prevent him from interfering just now. He suspected that Carya wouldn't finish if his friend exploded at this point.

"We did go in there and we bought the Gillyweed. It was better quality for the same price as in 'Diagon Alley' though. But we didn't get out of the street that easily. You all know about the reputation the sets of twins have there, right? Well, it was the first time we all were there together.

We told them that we were siblings. But there were too many curious and suspicious onlookers there when we once again ran into Malfoy. We met him at the bookstore and I wanted to go inside for a new book.

I bought three in the end because they fascinated me. I'm sorry though that I didn't ask you for permission first. The titles might be familiar to you though as I've seen a battered copy of one of them in Remus room.

They are called 'Natural Poisons in Potions', 'Dark Hexes and Curses for the Daring' and 'A Compendium of Common Curses and their Counter-Actions'. The first one is the one I was talking about," the girl explained.

"That is all well, Carya but it doesn't explain your behaviour and need to talk to us," Remus said urging her to continue.

"Eh, yeah, ... when we wanted to get back to 'Diagon Alley' the crowd had become quite big, you know? A drunken wizard nearly knocked me over when he bumped into me and I knew that I had to do something because of the reputation we have in there.

I pulled out my wand but didn't know what I could or should do then. I spotted something on his arm though. That man has once been a Death Eater or still is one because he had the Dark Mark on his left forearm. He didn't even try to hide it," she said and the adults did a sharp intake of breath but didn't say anything.

"He ... he got to his feet and made some dirty suggestions into my direction. I knew that everyone was watching us now and ... after talking to Harry - Darius at that time - I ... I cursed him. We had made sure that the others roughly knew what was coming so they didn't act surprised or shocked when I did it.

It did have the desired effect though and we could leave without being followed further. When I ended the curse I insulted the man on the ground and we quickly left. Not even Malfoy dared to follow us," she explained.

"I see, and what curse did you use?" Sirius asked more sharply than he intended to.

His tone made Carya cringe. She had expected something like this but remembering everything hurt even more. It was nothing which she was proud of - disgusted would describe it better. Remus looked her into the eyes to make her continue and she answered with looking at the floor.

"I used 'Dolor Acris' and I know it's a dark curse that borders on forbidden because spells like the Cruciatus are derived from this one," the girl replied and started shaking a bit while awaiting the inevitable explosion from Sirius but it never came.

"You used 'Dolor Acris' willingly, knowing it was almost a forbidden curse and a dark one as well?" he wanted to know.

"Yes," the girl answered.

"You knew what it did and used it on another human even if the man was a Death Eater?" he continued.

"Yes," Carya admitted and felt sick now.

"How did you feel using that curse?" Sirius demanded sharply now and Carya gulped.

"I ... I felt sick ... I hated the feeling and I hated causing pain but ... it was necessary to do something along that line. We ... I wouldn't have made it out of the Alley if I hadn't ... I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sirius, and I understand if you're furious with me now but please don't punish the others," she said in a small quivering voice.

There was only silence and Carya didn't dare to look at her godfather. She was too afraid to see the disappointment she had heard in his voice earlier. After a long time he said something though.

"Carya, go to your room, we will talk later! The rest of you can go too. Stay away from Carya's room though. She's grounded until I decide otherwise!" Sirius said sternly with suppressed anger in his voice.

Carya fled the room before she started to cry. She locked her door and even shut Harry out of her mind. She knew it had been right to tell them but even if she had expected something like this it still hurt to hear his immense disappointment at her actions.

Downstairs Sirius and Remus were having a heated argument while the other kids sat in Harry's room to discuss everything.

"I can't believe she took all the blame. She only went there for me after all. I don't know what I would have done without her help and the Gillyweed. It's so unfair that she's in trouble now," Harry said angrily.

"Harry, that's how she is. She would do anything to protect those she loves, even if she's getting hurt for that. And that includes us five. I don't like it either and I can only hope that Sirius won't punish her too much for it.

She really didn't like that at all and they should see it too. It's not as if she's going dark or something like that. Many people are interested in the Dark Arts without falling. Look at Remus. He knows more than we do about it and he's a good guy.

I doubt he never used curses like that. And Moody, he is an auror and they use these curses to hunt down criminals," Tom said sadly at seeing his girlfriend in so much distress.

~*~*~ The study at the same time ~*~*~

"I can't believe it Moony, a pain curse, and such a dark one too. What was she thinking? No don't tell me, I don't want to hear it. Sometimes I wonder if that Skeeter woman hasn't been right to some degree," Sirius ranted but then Remus interrupted angrily.

"Don't you ever say that. Carya's not dark and she most likely never will be if you stop thinking like this. If you keep it up though she might think its the only way out. Severus Snape did the same because everyone only accused him of being dark.

Including us if you remember. Lily was the only one who didn't do that. And I'm quite skilled in the Dark Arts too since I taught Defence at school you know? Not everyone interested in that topic is dark or evil, Sirius.

You of all people should know that. What about your parents? The were the same. And James? He was an auror just like Lily! He knew more than I do and he used it during work. Carya regrets using that curse, couldn't you see it?

She felt sick by only thinking about what she'd done. I could smell her fear of you. She was afraid of you, Sirius! Think about that for a minute before you continue accusing her," Remus shouted at his friend and drank some of his tea because he was too angry to do anything else.

Sirius was stunned. Carya was afraid of him? No that wasn't right. She should have felt ashamed of her actions only but she shouldn't fear him. Did she think he'd hurt her?

"Moony, tell me you were joking please!" Sirius pleaded but Remus only glared at him, "Oh Merlin, I ... she shouldn't have a reason to fear me, Remus. What have I done to her? I've failed her just like James and Lily. I'm such an idiot!"

"It's good that you finally understand, Sirius. Now go upstairs and make sure she understands what you meant. Show her that although you are disappointed at her for having to resort to those spells you still love her. Tell her that although she used that curse you're not going to abandon her.

It might not seem this way but although other people can't get to her unless they insult her family, we can easily achieve this. It is quite easy for someone she trusts to hurt her deeply. She opens her heart to us and that means not only letting in love and affection but also anger and disappointment.

No one but Harry and Tom might know how fragile she actually is emotionally. It has become better though since she's with Tom. Something like the incident after the second task would have broken her before her third year.

I've talked to Petunia about that and she explained it to me," Remus told his friend and a very pale Sirius went upstairs to look for his goddaughter.

~*~*~ End The study ~*~*~

Carya was lying on her bed and sobbed quietly. She had known that Sirius would be angry and probably disappointed but he had been very much so. It hurt deeply to hear him talking so coldly to her. She felt ashamed about it already for Slytherin's sake.

Couldn't he see that too? She didn't really want to use a curse like that and it certainly made her sick to use it. Why didn't he try to understand her? Remus seemed to understand why she had felt the need to do something that drastic.

He hadn't said anything but he had been a bit disappointed at her choice of action. Though he had been nowhere near as angry as Sirius, he had listened to her explanation and seemed to accept it. Carya didn't know why it hurt so much to hear Sirius talking like that.

That was her problem. She never understood why the ones she loved could hurt her so easily. She had known he would be greatly disappointed with her. Why did it hurt like that then? She didn't hear the spell that was whispered to opened her door since she had already cried herself to sleep.

Sirius carefully stepped inside and looked at Carya. Her eyes were red from crying and her breath was still hitching sometimes. Remus had been right. His behaviour had cut deep. Hopefully not too deep to heal it.

Sirius decided to let her sleep for now and placed a note next to her bed after pulling the covers over the girl. He quietly left the room and heard an argument in his godsons room.

"And I say we go downstairs and tell him why we were there in the first place! It's not right that she takes all the blame if we all broke the rules. Sure she may have been the one to use that curse but we didn't help her either," growled Ginny.

"I agree with Ginny. She'll be hurt if we don't do something. I listened at her door a few minutes ago and she was crying for Slytherin's sake. When does Carya really cry, eh? Only when she's hurt deeply. I can't stand to see or hear her like that," said Tom hotly and Sirius knew the boy was right.

"I know but this is between her and Padfoot. We can't help this time. It pains me to see my twin like this too but what can we do? Sure we only went there because we needed the Gillyweed for my task in the Tournament and I was supposed to do it alone but you know Carya.

She is overprotective of us all. We mean the world to her. And if she opens her heart to someone its very easy for those to hurt her. We all have seen and experienced it. It has gotten better though. Tom is giving her the security which I couldn't give her.

She is not so easily thrown off balance since they are together but still ... I hate being helpless like this! Why can't Sirius see what he's doing to her? Even Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon knew how to handle situations like that." Harry explained.

"You know Harry, I really like Remus and Sirius. And Remus did the right thing today to let her explain everything but your godfather is an idiot sometimes. Didn't he see that she regretted everything? Couldn't he feel how ashamed she was that she used the curse and therefore disappointed him?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Don't be too hard on him, Hermione. Sirius might be impulsive but once he sees that he's been wrong he'll go and talk to her. I'm sure of that. At first I was scared as well. He acted like Lucius did when I made a mistake but the ... the beating didn't come and that eased my worries a bit," Draco threw in and Sirius backed away from the door.

'What have I done?' he thought and went outside to sit in the garden. This was his favourite place. He always went there when he needed time to think. Draco was right. His temper got into his way very often. Just like it had done that night when his actions nearly got Snape killed.

Remus and Lily hadn't talked to him for weeks and James had only spoken to him about the absolutely necessary things like Quidditch practise.

Carya woke up with a terrible headache an hour later. She groaned and remembered the conversation with her guardians. Tears sprang into her eyes again and as she wiped them away she spotted the slip of parchment on her nightstand.

'Carya,

please come downstairs when you've woken up. I have to talk to you.

Padfoot'

He had signed with Padfoot, that was good. It meant he wasn't as angry as he had been. Carya changed clothes and cleaned her face a bit. She silently left her room and heard her friends talking in Harry's room. They were currently discussing Potions class and Defence.

She went downstairs to the study and only found Remus there.

"Moony, do you know where Sirius is? He left me a note to meet him but I can't find him," she said quietly.

Remus walked up to her and hugged the girl, "I believe he's in the garden, Carya. Don't worry. You two will work this out. I disapprove of your actions too but I understand why you thought you had to do it. Promise me to be careful in the future, okay?"

She nodded and hugged the werewolf back before leaving the house towards the garden. That was where she found him, his head in his hands. He looked up at her face when she was standing in front of him. Carya started talking first,

"I'm sorry Sirius. I didn't like the feeling I had at all when I used that spell. It made me sick. Please don't be angry with me," she pleaded and looked at him with teary eyes.

Without saying anything Sirius got up and pulled her into a tight embrace. He didn't let go and only loosened his grip slightly when Carya said she couldn't breathe. Sirius buried his face in her hair at the top of her head which was easy as he was still much taller than she was.

He then murmured something but Carya could hear him, "I'm sorry too. I really shouldn't have yelled at you. You already felt bad for doing it and it took a lot of courage and backbone to admit all this. Please forgive me for hurting you again!"

Carya just put her arms around him and buried herself in his robes. She was crying again but this time it was of relief. They stood there for a few minutes without one of them moving. That was how Remus found them. He left without comment and looked for the other five kids.

He found them in the same place as Sirius and Carya had.

"Ah, here you are. You can come downstairs again. Everything is alright now," he told them and they stared at him in confusion.

Harry got the hint though, "They talked it out?"

"They did and are currently making sure the other knows that everything is alright," Remus answered and the walked back into the study. Winky had brought some more tea and they sat down by the fireplace waiting for Padfoot and Carya to return.

It took them a very long time and it was already past ten when they returned. Carya's eyes were still red but by the way Sirius had his arm around her shoulder they knew that the two had sorted everything out.

The kids decided to wait until the next day to ask about Lily and James. Too much had already happened and they were tired. Unfortunately they hadn't gotten to do their homework that day and would have to do it on Sunday.

When they woke up the next morning it was quite late. They normally got up around nine but it was past eleven already. The six kids ran downstairs once they were dressed and rushed into the kitchen to get something to eat.

"Miss Carya, Master Harry, Master Remus said you is having to eat in the dining room when you wake up. Winky is getting you something. Would you like lunch or breakfast?" the elf asked them.

The kids decided to have lunch since it was nearly time for it anyway. They sat down in the dining room and Winky soon appeared with the food. Once finished they went upstairs to do their homework.

It thankfully wasn't very much and due to their constant researching they quickly found every information they needed for the assignments. The children were done around three in the afternoon and went looking for the two adults.

They found them in the study sitting with a cup of tea and cookies like every other day when they were at home. Now was the best time to ask them about the things Madam Rosmerta had told them.

"Eh, Moony, Padfoot, can we ask you something?" Harry queried.

"Sure, go on!" said Sirius not knowing where this would lead.

"Why did you never tell us mum has been in Slytherin?" the boy asked and while Remus just dropped his cookie, Sirius choked on his tea.

"Who told you that?" they asked in shock.

"Madam Rosmerta did. She always tells us stories about the Marauders since we didn't have the chance to get to know our parents. But why didn't you say anything?" Carya said a bit sad.

"I, ... I don't know ... I think I didn't want to admit it. She ... Lily was so sweet and then she got sorted into that ... into Slytherin. She made friends with Snape and we were enemies then. During the middle of our fifth year she and James became really close though.

I don't know how but they did. I'm sure you remember what I told you about the Shrieking Shack incident? Well, Lily wouldn't talk to me for weeks then. Neither did Remus or Peter. Even James only said the most necessary things during Quidditch practise and games.

After fifth year Lily spent most of her time with us. And when she wasn't with the Marauders she was with Snape. James became incredibly jealous sometimes. He, Lily, Remus and Snape were prefects then. I wasn't, got into far too much trouble and detentions over the years.

In seventh year your mum and dad were made headboy and headgirl. Lily was the first Slytherin to have that position since Voldemort had attended school. They had their own rooms each and Lily was officially adopted by the Gryffindors.

I guess that's why everyone insists on telling you she really was one. Sorry that we didn't tell you though. If I had known how important that was for you I would have said something. But I still don't understand how a Muggleborn could get into that house," Sirius explained in a small voice.

Yes, he hadn't thought about that. It explained so much. Especially why the twins were Slytherin's - not because they were evil but because their mother had been one as well. The kids decided not to tell him about their parents heritage for now since no one else seemed to know either.

"Eh, Sirius? Do you ... do you by any chance know a girl by the name Anastasia Black who attended Hogwarts as a Slytherin from 1938 to probably 1945?" Tom asked suddenly.

"Anastasia Black you say? Well, if we are talking about the same female then she would be my great aunt. My grandfather use to live here in this manor, he was her older brother and she hated him. He was a Ravenclaw, the first in many generations of Slytherin's.

My dad was a Ravenclaw too and my mother was a Slytherin, that's why everyone was surprised when I got into Gryffindor. The first Black ever. We only had Slytherins and a few Ravenclaws in the family for generations. That's why I was so happy to end up in Gryffindor," Sirius explained.

"Your family has always been Slytherin or Ravenclaw?" the twins exclaimed in shock.

"Uhm, yeah, I guess so. It's what the family tree says. The Black's are an ancient wizarding family, you know? That's why underage magic goes undetected in these walls or on these grounds. The enchantments are so old and powerful that none of the newer ones could break them.

I think Anastasia was one of the first to follow Voldemort though. She always seemed to have an appreciation for everything dark and evil even if most Black's were Dark Wizards but she was the worst. Don't get me wrong.

I might not like your dwelling in the Dark Arts but I don't think you would loose yourself in them. Aunt Ana did - she lost it and my dad told me that she had been sentenced to Azkaban for life when she was caught killing muggles.

One of the reasons they didn't give me a trial I guess. Because there had been evil Black's before and they assumed I was just the same," the dog-animagus explained sounding very sad.

"She's lived in one of our summer houses in London until then I think. Together with her mother until the woman died. I don't know if the house is still there. We could try and take a look during the summer though," he continued.

"I knew her, Anastasia that is. She wasn't evil though and I didn't notice her being interested in the Dark Arts. Must've come later, I think. She was in fact the most annoying Slytherin I have ever met. Not even Parkinson or that Gryffindor Patil can compare to her," Tom said smiling at the memory.

"You knew her?" asked Sirius confused since he once again forgot who the boy was.

"Of course I did! We were in the same year at that time ... The life before the diary that is. I hated her and she was practically haunting me. Following my every step. Not something I'd recommend though," the crimson eyed boy replied.

"Oh, sorry to hear that. Before I forget, Carya, Harry, did you have anymore dreams about Voldemort? Any at all?" Padfoot asked concerned.

"Rarely and most times only when we were sleeping in our dorms ..." Harry said carefully.

"In your dorms? Where did you sleep when you didn't have nightmares?" Remus asked curious.

"Eh, that's kind of a secret. Like you hid what you were doing during the full moons Moony. We don't leave the castle though and never enter forbidden areas. I doubt anyone knows where we are once we go inside," Carya explained with a sheepish grin.

"Care to enlighten us?" demanded Sirius playfully.

"No way in hell, Sirius. That's our secret, our shelter if things go awry which they sometimes do. We cannot tell you now, perhaps later," Draco said quietly.

"Okay, okay, keep your secret. It's good to have a safe heaven somewhere. We appreciate that but don't get into trouble because of that. Anything new about Alastor?" Sirius asked.

"Nope, nothing, he continues watching us like we are watching him. I guess that nothing will happen until the third task in June though," Carya answered.

Their conversation got stuck soon after and the children retreated to their rooms. Each couple was alone now and they took advantage to talk about very private things. Hermione and Harry were talking about studying and exams, about the high expectations her parents had and how much pressure that put on her.

She loved them dearly but sometimes it all was too much. Harry had different problems but with those she could hardly help. Hermione could help him with the nightmares by sleeping in the same room and sometimes even bed but she couldn't erase them completely.

Ginny and Draco were arguing about money. Ginny hated being poor and understood that Fred and George were adamant to make as much as they could. She refused to take anything from anyone. Even her boyfriend was only occasionally allowed to spend his money on her.

He was currently trying to convince her that he liked sharing his wealth with his beloved but she wouldn't listen being the stubborn Weasley she was. Carya and Tom talked about the Dark Arts. They both were drawn to them for some odd reason.

Not only because of their power. It was something deep inside of them that pulled the two into that direction. Carya didn't believe in black and white better known as good and evil like they were taught at school and as little children.

You just couldn't divide magic like that. It wasn't that easy. Magic was not about dark and light it was all about intent. A spell used for the benefits of everyone was not dark. On the opposite a supposedly light spell could easily be used to harm someone.

The disarming charm for example could if spoken with enough force behind it knock someone out. Both Carya and Tom saw Magic and the Magical Arts in general as many shades of grey. Light could be dark and dark could be light.

Only a spell like Cruciatus and probably the Killing curse were nothing but dark. They couldn't be used out of good intentions. They only brought suffering and pain. But who would believe the opinion of two hardly fifteen year old children?

Not many people did and most would just say that they were too young to talk about things like that. Carya and Tom continued studying the Dark Arts in private with no outward sign. They used Carya's variety of books for that. She had obtained many since her first year at Hogwarts.

And there would be more in summer. He knew that she already had an eye on one or two. The couple wanted to find a way around the Unforgivables. A counter-curse so to speak. Something to defend yourself with.

After once again discussing that topic at length they resumed their Potions Research. Carya looked up their new ingredient in Snape's book and quickly found it. She had been right it did have the required properties.

With a bit of hard work and some luck they'd be able to finish the potion by June. She would really like to have it finished and thoroughly tested then because she intended to give Harry something to protect himself with when he was alone in that maze.

"You know, Tom it would be really good if we could finish with this project before the end of June. I'd like to give Harry some extra protection just in case something happens in that dratted maze. I have a very bad feeling about the third task, I just don't know why," she told her boyfriend.

Tom looked at her strangely before furrowing his brow in thought for a second.

"Carya, has there by any chance been a seer or a strong empath in your family? ... Ah, I forgot, scratch that question. You are a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw. She was a very strong empath and you seem to have inherited that talent.

You are able to feel things before they are going to happen but you can't quite see them, right?" he queried and Carya nodded.

"When we get back you should talk to Rowena's portrait. She might be able to help you training those powers. That way you'd be prepared for anything," the boy suggested and the girl once again nodded.

They worked on their potion until well past midnight when Sirius knocked onto the lab door and called them,

"Carya, Tom, I leave a little snack outside okay? Don't overdo it though. You should be in bed already. Goodnight you two!" Sirius said and left at a quick pace.

Carya unlocked the door and picked up the tray. There were some ham sandwiches and ice-cold pumpkin-juice. The two happily ate them and concentrated on the bubbling brews in their cauldrons. They had finished another batch of the two separate potions in the morning.

Now they looked for a way to combine them. There was the problem that two ingredients would act volatile if they tried to put the recipes together. Carya wanted to find a way around that and looked up the offending ingredients in her newest book.

Adding a pinch of moonstone would make the combination possible but it also lessened the potions potency. Now how could they enhance that again without reversing the moonstones effect? Three hours later around five thirty she found something.

If they added a drop of essence of belladonna after adding a bit of fluxweed they wouldn't loose the moonstones effect but enhance the potions potency again. Some chopped daisy roots added before the last ingredient would also make sure the potion would be gentle on the drinkers stomach.

Her heart jumped in excitement. The two children immediately wrote down the whole recipe and started working on it. They did have all the necessary ingredients between them and they wouldn't be able to sleep anyway.

After calling Winky to bring them two huge cups of coffee they set to work. Tom had calculated that the new potion would take roughly two hours to brew given or taken thirty minutes. It took them another hour to complete it but the result was satisfactory.

Now they would have to test it. Nyara and Salazar had brought them some ordinary rats and mice although the two wouldn't have minded to feed their potion to a very special rat. They stunned the first mouse and let three drop fall into her mouth.

The tiny animal cringed after the spell was released and vanished a few seconds later. Sirius was getting anxious by then and sent Winky to look for Carya and Tom. She told them to come down for breakfast and they reluctantly left putting a note on the cage that is was not to be opened at all.

Their friends and siblings were already waiting for them and the two flashed them a sleepy smile but they seemed overly happy about something. Harry shook his head. He could imagine what they'd been doing the whole night.

He vividly remembered the last time when they had both worn such an annoyingly cheerful grin. It had been the day when he found out about the third task. And they had just managed a major step in their little project.

Remus knew that something was up too. He hadn't forgotten Carya's little remark before their fourth year had started. Something about a new potions project she had said. He only hoped that the children didn't really drink the potion without testing it thoroughly.

Tom and his girlfriend must have sensed that because they started talking to him.

"Don't worry Remus, we don't intend on poisoning ourselves. We have Snape for that," Tom said cheerfully.

"Yeah, easy there Moony. We just had a major breakthrough this night and are now in the final stage of our project. And we'll only take that brew ourselves if we're absolutely sure that it won't harm us in any way," Carya told him seriously.

Three hours later they walked back into their workroom to see that the mouse still hadn't reappeared. They had administered the dose at eight thirty and now it was twelve thirty. That meant the animal had been gone for four hours now.

The mouse did reappear at one fifty though. Exactly five hours and twenty minutes after they'd administered the brew. The animal seemed healthy and the tried the same process with a rat this time, same dose.

The rodent was back after three hours. The amount of time you were gone seemed to depend on your size and weight. They tried various doses and the other animals and noted their results. It seemed that for one hour invisibility you needed to take two drops per pound.

A human weighing ten stones would need about 280 drops which meant half a standard vial of the potion. A quarter vial if you wanted to be invisible for half an hour. They were working on an antidote as well in case you needed to become visible again before the time was up.

-~/\~-

Revised June 10th, 2010