The night of Monday, September 14th, 2020 at 11 p.m. Hogwarts time, Olivander would finally progress from teaching James about wandlore to starting to teach him about Wandmaking.

The first thing James noticed when he walked into the History of Magic classroom for his lesson with Olivander was that there were three bottles of various potions bottles on the desk.

"Good evening, Mr. Potter," said Olivander politely as James entered the room, "Are you ready to start learning how wands are made?"

"Absolutely," said James eagerly, "But why are there bottles of potions on the desk?"

"Potions play a very important role in the task of Wandmaking," replied Olivander in a crystal clear voice, "And that's where we are going to start. I think we are still a few lessons away from letting you begin to attempt the Wandmaking process but as you now possess strong knowledge about woods and cores, I can now start teaching you how the process of actually making wands works. I have decided to begin by introducing you to the potions that are important in Wandmaking and teaching you about their roles and importance in Wandmaking."

"Alright then," said James excitedly, "Let us begin."

Olivander picked up a bottle with an icy blue shade of potion in it and held it up for James to see.

"Mr. Potter, do you know what this Potion is?" asked Olivander.

"Cooling Potion," said James with a smile, "Dad and mom always keep some Cooling Potion in our Potions store at Potter Manor. It is very useful for cooling one's hand if he or she has touched something hot. It is also useful to cool any body part one may have spilled hot liquid on."

"Most wizarding households do keep some Cooling Potion in the house for those very reasons," explained Olivander, "In Wandmaking Cooling Potion is used at the very end of the Wandmaking process. The process of making wands generates a tremendous amount of heat. A finished wand MUST be stored in Cooling Potion for at least twenty five hours before it can be touched by hand."

"Wow that long!" responded James in an amazed voice.

"Just finished wands are EXTREMELY hot and you will learn about why that is later on," said Olivander in a no nonsense voice, "You don't mess around with heat energy."

"No, you don't," agreed James.

Olivander next picked up a bottle of a somewhat but not really clear potion that seemed to have an almost gluey type of essence to it.

James looked curiously at the potion.

"This is Strengthening Potion," explained Olivander, "Before the Wandmaking process can begin, any wood that is to be used in the making of wands must be treated in Strengthening Potion as it is of vital importance that wands do not break. The treatment of wand wood in Strengthening Potion greatly increases the strength of the wood and thus makes wands impossible to break via any method involving the hands. In fact, Strengthening Potion treatment for wand wood ensures that the only way of breaking a wand is via a VERY powerful magical spell. Strengthening Potion must be applied to wand wood for ten hours before beginning to make wands. "

"That makes all the sense in the world," said James matter of factly, "Wands are subject to so much handling and it can be very easy to be rough with them."

"BINGO!" said Olivander approvingly, clearly glad James was picking up on these things so quickly, "It may have come as a surprise to you that Potions plays a role in Wandmaking."

"It did at first," admitted James, "But now it feels as though I should have known it all along. Because wands are so important, they need to receive loads of cure and treatment throughout the Wandmaking process. Potions, though not as fundamental a part of Magic as Charms, often pops up as a required skill for important careers. Many other important careers, even if they don't require the ability to make potions, at least require a knowledge of Potions. "

"Wandmaking is one of those types of careers," said Olivander briskly, "I don't know a damn thing about how to make potions, but I have to know what potions are and what they do and what they are used for."

"Hang on," said James suddenly, "Some wands are stronger than others. Some are actually brittle."

"That's just the texture," replied Olivander patiently, "There are many factors that go into determining the texture of a wand but ANY wand that has been cured by Strengthening Potion WILL NOT be broken be hand. Period."

"I understand," said James simply.

Olivander finally picked up the third bottle which had a potion of light pink color in it. The light pink gave off a feeling of relaxation.

"This is Temperament Potion," explained Olivander, "If given to humans it helps reduce hyperactivity. In Wandmaking, hairs and feathers that are to be used in wands are treated with Temperament Potion for five hours before beginning to make wands. The purpose of this is to "calm" the magic of a wand's magical core so that wands do not act of their own accord. This treatment permits magical cores to still have magic, but the magic must be drawn out of them by the use of the wand by its owner."

"I can imagine an out of control wand and what it might do," said James uncomfortably, "So Potions really do play a vital role in Wandmaking."

"That's one reason you are taking N.E.W.T. level Potions, Mr. Potter, " said Olivander matter of factly, "Cooling Potion, Strengthening Potion, and Temperament Potion are all taught in seventh year. "

"I'm guessing that Charms is the primary subject used in the actual process of making wands," guessed James.

"Indeed, " confirmed Olivander, "The application of the appropriate potions is the beginning and the end of Wandmaking. Next lesson I will teach you how to actually make a wand using the proper spells. "

"I look forward to it," said James.

As he exited the History of Magic classroom, James found Lily waiting for him outside the door.

"Hey big sis," greeted James cheerfully.

"Hi baby bro," grinned Lily, "Can we talk?'

"Yes, of course," replied James.

Lily led James into her room and they both sat down on Lily's bed.

"James," said Lily uncertainly, "I have been inspired by how you are learning Wandmaking from Olivander and how you are going to be a Wandmaking teacher. Well I've never thought much about my career path, but I always planned on taking your class. Well, I would love to play my part in helping the Wizarding World by becoming a Wandmaker myself. Not to stay at Hogwarts and teach like you, but to actually be one of the new wandmakers Britain will so desperately need."

"I'd love to see that happen," said James sincerely, "I suppose after a few years in my class you'll know if you've got a shot."

'Do you think it's a viable career path for me?" Lily asked James.

"Only a few years in my class will answer that question. But I say this, if it's really what you want-

"IT IS!" shouted Lily.

"Chase your dreams, Lily! "said James fiercely, "At the end of the day, it is far better to fail than to not try. Give it your all and let the chips fall where they may."

"That's sound advice," said Lily gratefully, "I was inspired by you, this idea told hold of me, and I wanted to know your opinion of it."

""It may be quite challenging but it's always worth taking a shot at your dreams," said James firmly.

"James can you tell me what Olivander's lessons have been like?" asked Lily.

James looked very uncomfortable at this question.

"I'm really sorry Lily, but I would rather not discuss that now, especially since you will be taking my classes. I think it best for you to wait until then to learn about Wandmaking. Furthermore, I promised Olivander that I would not discuss those lessons outside of our lesson times and I'm a man of my word who doesn't break promises," relied James apologetically.

"I respect that," said Lily acceptingly, "Curiosity got the best of me, sorry,"

"You didn't do anything wrong by asking, sometimes you just have to respect another person's decision not to answer (a) question(s)," said James reassuringly.

"James, you're my hero," said Lily, giving her brother a hug.

"And you're mine," gave back James as he hugged Lily back.

"Hey James, there's something else as well, I have GREAT news, dad and mom, especially dad, are ecstatic about this.

"What is it, Lily?" asked James with anticipation.

Lily unfurled a copy of the Evening Prophet and showed James the glorious headline.

TURNCOAT MARIETTA EDGECOMBE GETS DEMENTORS KISS!

'YES!" exclaimed James jubilantly, "It's awesome that that goddamn traitor got what she had coming to her!"

"Damn straight," agreed Lily gleefully, "Dad and mom were so elated by this news that dad sent me this via his owl. He asked me in his letter to inform Albus and you as well. I told Albus while you were with Olivander. He's gone back to bed since. He was happy to hear the good news."

"So I am, " said James ecstatically.

"Dad and mom sent us treats to celebrate this wonderful news with, I already gave Albus his," said Lily brightly.

Lily reached into the right hand pocket of her shorts and pulled out two Old faithful bars and threw one to James.

"Yes, Old faithful!" squealed James in delight, "The sleezeball traitor's downfall deserves celebrating and what a yummy way to do it."

And both James and Lily munched on their peanut and marshmallow chocolate bars with delight in their hearts at such great news, especially since they knew how joyful this news was for Harry.