Chapter 16

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

The Department of Potions and Elixirs was on the third floor, but Harry and Daniels took the lift down to the ninth. Harry studied the Ministry's foremost Potions Master as the lift went down. Patrick Daniels was nearly a foot taller than him, yet Harry was sure that he still weighed more than the skeletally thin man beside him. Daniels was reclusive – apparently he'd been studying potions in South America for the past twenty years, isolated from all outside contact. When he returned to England five years ago, he'd had no idea that Voldemort had returned nor that he'd been defeated again.

When he had been informed, he was mostly uninterested in the country's struggle against Darkness – except for one thing. The Quibbler had reported Harry's full account of Voldemort's return, so those details were common knowledge. The potion Voldemort had used to regenerate his body had fascinated Daniels. So much so that he came to the Ministry and begged to see all the information they had on Voldemort. When he was told such information was classified, he joined the Ministry and worked his way to the top of the Department of Potions and Elixirs in just a few short years. Nearly everyone found him odd, but no one could deny his brilliance. Harry and Ron sometimes joked he was the result of Dumbledore being possessed by Luna Lovegood.

They got out on the ninth floor and continued on foot to the all-too-familiar Department of Mysteries. Harry felt strange as he entered the circular room, all black marble and blue flame. He couldn't decide if it was a lifetime ago or if it just happened yesterday – but once Harry had dreamed of this place, nearly every night. This was the location of Voldemort's trap, one Harry had been foolish enough to walk into it. This was the place where Sirius had died. In his dreams and in his grief these halls had haunted him. Now, as their master, Harry haunted them.

"Mr. Potter? Are you coming?"

Lost in thought, Harry hadn't noticed Daniels opening the door. "Yes, of course." Harry scrambled after his lanky potions master. No wonder Kingsley doesn't want you in the field, Harry scolded himself. You didn't hear a disembodied voice speak. A dozen candles go out, and you don't notice either. Some Auror you are…

The room they entered was far brighter than Snape's office had been at Hogwarts, but otherwise looked very similar. Well, there was one significant difference – it was way bigger. Despite the stadium quality lighting the ceiling was out of sight. Ventilation is essential, Daniels had said.

Where Snape's office had had a few shelves filled with jars and tubes and other containers of potion supplies, the Elixirium (Harry hated the name) had hundreds. Some had fires burning below them to keep their contents warm, others were packed in ice to keep them cold. A potioneer is only as good as his ingredients, Daniels had said.

Snape's office had space for a cauldron or two, but Harry could see dozens of cauldrons on fires from the doorway and knew there were many times more out of sight. Most potions require ample time over a fire, it's extremely inefficient to work on a single potion at once, Daniels had said.

One other difference was the chairs. Snape's office had only two: one each for himself and a single visitor. There were dozens here…some of which had manacles hanging from the arms or legs. Those still reminded him of the Wizengamot trials he saw in Dumbledore's Pensieve a lifetime ago. Harry didn't remember what Daniels had said about those.

The Elixirium was extravagant, as the Ministry coffers could attest. The largest government expense since the construction and operation of the Quidditch World Cup stadium, as Abacus Contador frequently reminded Harry. But Harry had twin needs far more important than gold: powerful new potions and secrecy. Daniels was clearly the man for the job, and the greatest potions laboratory ever built was his price for the Unbreakable Vow.

"Which potion have you made progress on?"

"Potions, plural, Mr. Potter", Daniels said while absentmindedly straightening jars on the nearest shelf. "There are two I wish to discuss with you tonight." Evidently satisfied with the organization of his shelf, Daniels turned to face Harry. "The Evenius and the Bloodhound. Which would you like to see first?"

Harry's pulse quickened. These two potions were of utmost importance. "The Bloodhound." Daniels nodded and led Harry past some dozen tables before arriving at their destination. Two cauldrons sat on the table. The first cauldron had a blue fire crackling up through the hole below it – Harry could feel the heat from ten feet away. The other had, well – a reverse waterfall? There was a steady stream of water gushing up from under the cauldron and cascading all along the cauldron. Harry noticed none of the water actually fell into the cauldron.

"The antidote's external housing needs to be kept at a constant temperature while its being brewed", Daniels said, following Harry's eyes. "We've found that the late October Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Maine, in America, is the optimal temperature."

"So you've found an antidote?" Harry asked, eyes still locked on the cauldron being doused with, apparently, offseason American ocean. "Any changes to the Bloodhound Potion itself?"

"No change, Mr. Potter. The potion still works as intended it just…never wears off."

"And this antidote will cancel all the effects of the Bloodhound Potion?"

"Well, technically yes, but – hey!" Daniels lunged forward, grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him back. "Be careful, Mr. Potter." Harry had been inching closer to the antidote's cauldron. The insides were boiling. And pitch black.

"'Technically yes'?" Harry asked. "Does that mean it…eliminates or just alleviates (Daniels responded best to technical potions terms) the effects of the Bloodhound Potion?"

"It eliminates the effects of the Bloodhound Potion entirely, sir."

"Well then this is perfect!" Harry grinned broadly. "Why aren't you excited!?" Harry asked the grim-faced Daniels. "This is exactly what we hoped for! Now we have a way to track people anywhere. Through the Floo Network, Portkeys, even Apparition! Come on Daniels, you've created something that's never existed before!"

Daniels was wringing his hands. "But Mr. Potter, there are some side effects", he said in a quiet voice.

Harry waited for him to explain, but Daniels didn't elaborate. "Well…", Harry said spreading his hands wide, "what side effects? Headache, runny nose, nausea – what are we talking about here?"

Daniels looked at the ceiling. "The antidote eliminates all effects of the Bloodhound Potion but…the recommended dose…after a short amount of time…well, it kills you."

Harry blinked twice. "The antidote kills you? Then it's not an antidote, it's poison."

"No, Mr. Potter! It does work, I swear. It is an effective antidote – "

"Not if kills you! Hell, Daniels, then you could argue that all poison is an antidote. You won't have symptoms if you're dead."

"Well that's not strictly true, the effect of certain potions does last beyond – "

"Not the point!" Harry shouted. "If the antidote is worse than the potion it's supposed to cure, what exactly did you want to tell me?"

Daniels sprang into motion, pacing back and forth. "Well – the antidote used to be more toxic! In the last few weeks alone, we've managed to dilute its fatal aspects while keeping the same potency. Three weeks ago it killed instantly, now it takes a day or two at the least. We believe – with resources – we can create a non-fatal antidote in the next few weeks. Within a year, I fully expect the antidote to simply cause illness, a bad case of the flu at worst."

Daniels had stopped pacing and was now bouncing on the balls of his feet. "And who have you been testing this on?" Harry whispered. "Who are these subjects that have been dying instantly or in a day or two? Better not – "

"It's not house elves!" Daniels nearly screamed. "You made your position clear. I think it's ridiculous, but I have followed it." Daniels exhaled sharply and calmed himself. "This edict of yours has slowed my work, but" he said spreading his arms, "your patronage has certainly helped me far more than it has hindered me. This has been a mutually beneficial arrangement and I will not jeopardize that for any philosophical differences we may have."

Harry didn't consider risking the lives of house elves to be a "philosophical" difference, but he'd gotten the answer he wanted so he decided not to push it. "So if not house elves then it's still – "

"It's still inferi, yes."

"And with potions meant for human consumption, the margin for error using inferi – "

"There is a margin for error in every test", Daniels said, voice rising again. "The anticipated variance of using inferi is significantly greater than using house elves, but my skills make that variance nearly irrelevant. Though it is far more time consuming for me."

"That's why you have the greatest potions laboratory in the world", Harry said. "Because you're the best. Any potioneer on the planet would kill to be in your place. But they can't, because they aren't good enough." Daniels gave the tiniest nod. "I think you'll agree that I've placed precious few restrictions on you."

"You're right." Daniels bowed his head. "I am grateful, Mr. Potter. I should not have complained. In fact, working with inferi has led to some other breakthroughs – ones I'm not yet ready to present – but advances nonetheless."

"Fantastic", Harry said. "Please continue your work on the antidote. Anything else or are we off to the Evenius Potion?"

The Evenius Potion was at the far end of the Elixirium, a thirty-minute walk. Daniels said nothing on the way. Well, at least not to Harry. He spoke to himself constantly. They passed dozens, maybe a hundred potion tables and Daniels muttered under his breath at nearly every one.

"Still needs more time…oh, this is coming along nicely…ugh, mold again, we need to rethink this one…hmmm, perhaps a sprig of peppermint?"

A single cauldron stood on the potions table at the far end of the Elixirium. Unlike the Bloodhound Potion and its "antidote", there was neither fire nor water regulating the temperature of this cauldron, just stillness. While the other potions tables had been set apart at regular intervals, nothing else was close to the Evenius Potion. It looked almost abandoned, forgotten in the corner.

Harry peered into the cauldron. At first he thought it was empty but, after a moment, he realized it was full to the brim with a still, perfectly clear liquid. "What's the latest", Harry whispered, afraid to disturb it.

"It is highly unscientific", Daniels said stiffly. "But there have been test subjects that have met your arbitrary thresholds for an update."

Harry's eyes brightened. "A prophecy under twelve hours? How many did it?"

"Six", Daniels said in a pained voice. "One was under six hours…another under two."

"That's fantastic!" Harry exclaimed. "Do you have a projected timeline for decreasing the time spent blind?"

"NO!" Daniels threw up his hands in frustration. "Of course not, I'm not sure how we even achieved these results! Is it potion or patient? Merlin's beard, with Divination you never know. There are far too many variables – I cannot, and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to, recommend consuming this potion. Not unless you wanted to be blind, of course.

"I don't understand", Harry said. "The subjects are having their – visions, prophecies, whatever – quicker, and their blindness is growing shorter. It seems like we're making linear progress."

"We're not! Six have achieved prophecy in under twelve hours, but twice as many remain blind for twelve days! Two have seen nothing for months…", Daniels trailed off. "Those were earlier versions though, I suppose we have had some progress. I just can't stomach the imprecision of Divination."

"What do you mean?"

Danielson squinted. "Didn't you take Divination in school, Mr. Potter?"

Harry had a brief but vivid recollection of Ron asking Lavender to see Uranus. "Let's pretend I haven't."

Daniels ran a hand through his hair. "Well, Mr. Potter, the future is such an incredibly fragile thing. What seems certain at one point in time becomes farfetched in the next moment. The number of variables –" Daniels shook his head. "Billions of people making choices every second, throw in random chance and anything could happen. The Evenius Potion requires its taker to focus on something specific to foretell – it works! We do believe every taker of the potion will – at some point – prophesize the event they have desired. But with the number of variables in the world, there's no telling when that specific future will be revealed to them. And waiting days or weeks for a prophetic vision might not be a drawback in other circumstances, but this potion does have the side effect of complete blindness until that vision occurs."

Harry let this sink in. "Is there still blindness after a…prophetic vision is seen?"

Daniels nodded. "Between four and twenty-four hours in most cases."

"Surely something simple – or very short term – would have a quick turnaround, no?"

"Our third test subject wanted to predict what he would eat for lunch that day. He's still blind and that was two months ago."

Harry shook his head. "Keep working on it."

Daniels sighed. "There's so much going on down here, Mr. Potter. If I'm to spend more time devoted to the Evenius Potion, I'll need to bring on an assistant. And I'll need additional resources as well." Harry frowned and glanced around at the magnificence of the Elixirium. "I do need them!" Daniels shouted. "I promise."

"Then you'll have them."

"Thank you, sir."

"And Daniels, give me the names of all the volunteers for the Evenius Potion that are still…blinded."

"But, sir, you asked me to keep the subjects secret from you."

"Well, now I'm un-asking you."

"As you wish. You'll have a full list tomorrow."

Harry left the Elixirium and made the long walk back to the Lifts. He got in, still thinking about Daniels' words. As you wish. He thought he'd gotten what he'd wished for: an adventure with Ron and Hermione. Of course, that was quickly followed by a near mutiny and then the knowledge that people had been left blinded by his potions program. Perhaps wishes were better left ungranted.

Half an hour later, Harry was frantically sorting through the documents Amanda had left on his desk while he was at Hogwarts when he was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in!" he shouted, not bothering to look up. Where was that report on the last meeting of the International Confederation of Wizards? He'd sat through half a dozen of those meetings and the most interesting thing that had happened was the delegate from Romania dozing off, dropping his wand and accidentally setting his neighbor's cloak on fire. Of course the one meeting he skipped had information related to his murder case.

"Harry, do you have a moment?"

Harry's head snapped up at the sound of the deep voice. "Kingsley! Of course I do. Please have a…" he waved his wand, clearing various documents from the chair in front of his desk. "Please have a seat. Something to drink?" Harry asked. He reached for the firewhisky on his bar cart, then realized it had been broken when his two best Auror's nearly attacked him just a few short hours ago. Harry waived his wand at the cabinet, Summoned a fresh bottle, and poured himself a measure.

"No, Harry, I'm hoping this will be quick", Kingsley replied as he settled into a chair across from Harry. "I just spoke with John, who got me up to date on this Horcrux case. I understand the plan is to travel to Greece and confirm that the Prime Minister's son is our murder victim." Harry nodded and Kingsley continued. "I don't want you to go."

Harry's stomach dropped. "What?"

Kingsley let out a sigh. "Harry you're too important. We can't send a full security team with you on this. Even if this wasn't a classified case, this has become an international matter and diplomacy must be considered. And Greece has been decidedly undiplomatic. They'll allow up to three persons from our Ministry to meet with them. I can't send a security team with you and sending you off into a foreign country to track a dangerous murderer without one is out of the question. I won't take the risk. John and Abraxas will be able to handle this without you."

"I've been intimately involved in this case since the beginning", Harry's voice was level but his vice grip threatened to shatter his glass. "I'm the Ministry's foremost authority on Hocruxes. If you think I'm going to sit quietly in my office approving expense reports while someone else tracks this down, you've got another thing coming."

"Harry, we've been over this." His exasperated tone only made Harry angrier. "You are the most crucial member of the Ministry. The Auror's Office, the entire Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Wizengamot, the National Reserve – hell, I could go on – a dozen Departments would be crippled without you. If anything happened to you it would be a national disaster unlike anything we've seen since Voldemort took over. Not to mention the public, you're a national hero and beloved by all! Our government and our citizens would be devastated. You're just too important Harry, I'm sorry. I was uncomfortable at the start of this case, but I have to put my foot down now."

"Remind me Kingsley", Harry asked, voice dangerously close to shouting, "was it me who came to you and begged for this position? Did I come to your house desperately asking for all of these titles? Did I ask to be the Ministry's poster boy? Did I tell you that 'it was my duty' to serve my country in all these goddamn positions? Or was that all you?"

"Harry", Kingsley said slowly, "I know how much I've put on your plate. But Harry, you are special and we needed you – we still need you. Our country was in danger of spiraling out of control. We had thirteen years of peace between Voldemort's fall and rebirth – and what did we do with that time? Fill our government with the incompetent and the corrupt. The Ministry was held together with spit and spell-o-tape. Voldemort proved as much when he took over damn near the whole country in just a few months. If I'm going to build a Ministry that is strong, fair and lasts – I need people I can trust. Harry, you're at the top of that list."

"That's a hell of a speech, Kingsley, I'd keep that in your back pocket for when you run for reelection. But, with all due respect, I really don't care. I've been a good boy and done as you asked time and time again. You said you need me – what you meant is that you want to use me. You've got me in a display case to show off to the public whenever you need some positive publicity. I'm here so you can claim whatever law or policy you're pushing has the Harry Potter stamp of approval."

"Harry, that's not it at all – "

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH, KINGSLEY! If you think I'm 'serving my country' best by sitting in this box and signing parchment, then you're just wrong. I solve mysteries and I destroy Horcruxes – it's what I do. If you've forgotten that, why don't you read any book written in the last ten years. Actually here", Harry turned to the bookshelf behind his desk, yanked a handsome leatherbound book off the shelf and tossed it at Kingsley. "You wrote the foreword in that one. Read your own words and tell me you don't want me on this mission."

"Harry, that's not – "

"No, Kingsley. I'm going. The Head of the Auror's Office has final authority on the staffing of all auror assignments. I have chosen the staff for this assignment. If you don't like it, fire me. But don't be surprised if the next Head also decides he wants Harry Potter on a Horcrux hunt."

Kingsley sat in silence for a half minute before a deep laugh rumbled out of his chest. "Ha! Voldemort could never stop you, I don't why I thought I could. Fine, go."

Harry sighed in relief. "Thanks, Kingsley."

"I am worried about this situation though. Tensions have been high with Greece for a while now, even before this case. Minister Sophocles has been acting erratically – he put up a trade embargo against France and Lithuania for no discernible reason but then repealed it a few weeks later, he keeps raving about foreign nations attempting to infiltrate Greece, and he's been sending Hydra hatchlings to other heads of state as 'gifts'. Now his son has likely been murdered in Britain. I want you to keep a low profile when you're there, Harry. With your importance, I worry he may think Britain is making some type of power play by sending you – please don't give him any reason to think so. Make sure to use John and Abraxas for most of this investigation to the extent that you can."

Harry knew this last snag would come up at some point, might as well get it over with. "Yeah, about John and Abraxas…they're not coming."

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "They've been working this case just as long as you. If they're not going with you, who is?"

Harry stared intently at hid firewhisky and said in a quiet voice, "Ron and Hermione."

"Oh, Harry come on! Neither of them are Aurors! Ron left years ago – he's not even a Ministry employee anymore! I can't send a civilian to find a murderer in a foreign country! You expect me to put him and Hermione on a mission classified above top secret with just a few hours' notice? This is the type of move that could get me thrown out of office! I'm sorry Harry, but it's out of the question."

Harry had been expecting this response. He pulled open his bag and rifled through the documents Hermione had sent to Amanda in the few short hours since they were at Hogwarts. "There is historical precedence for this, Kingsley. Ministry employees from unrelated Departments and even civilians can be called to assist on Auror missions in certain circumstances. For example, if the individuals in question have knowledge relevant to the case and if they have unique skills suited to the specific mission. There's a form to fill out…ha!" Harry exclaimed pulling two documents out of his bag and laying them on his desk. "They have each completed one and I, as Head of the Auror's Office, have approved them. Their knowledge and skills are essential on this mission. They both understand the nature of this mission, as well as the risks to themselves, and are willingly choosing to assist the Auror's Office."

Kingsley did not look convinced. "Harry, we have dozens of Auror's at your disposal. Your Department has the largest budget in the Ministry. The whole idea is to give you what you need in house. Do you not trust that your own team can handle this?"

"Kingsley, how many people do you know that have destroyed a Horcrux? That have felt what it's like to wear one around their neck, to have their own personality affected by a sliver of someone else's soul?" Kingsley was silent. "I wish every Auror here had firsthand experience with Horcruxes – well, for their sake I don't, but you know what I mean. They come around so rarely that it's impossible for them to get experience."

"But Harry, your Horcrux training program – "

"Is taught using a book written by Hermione. Look, could Podmore and Nigellus handle this? Yeah, they probably could. Probably. I know Ron and Hermione can. They've done it before, they know the stakes, and they won't stop until they see it through." Harry couldn't help but think back to those months he'd spent with Ron and Hermione hiding out in a tent, looking for Horcruxes. Ron had left his whole family behind. Hermione had modified her parents' memories so they forgot she had even existed. Yes, he was certain Ron and Hermione were the right choice.

Kingsley shifted uncomfortably and Harry decided to go in for the kill. "This is bigger than just a murder or an erratic foreign Minister. You know what happened the last time a man made a Horcrux. What he did, how hard it was to stop him. We need to find this new threat right away and stop it as soon as possible. There's too much at stake to take chances and worry about petty politics."

Kingsley glanced away from Harry and said, "I'm starting to wish I had taken that drink. Oh, alright they can go", Kingsley snatched Ron and Hermione's Auror conscription forms and stuffed them in his cloak pocket. He stood up and looked at Harry seriously. "Just make sure you catch him."

"I will."

Kingsley barked out a laugh. "I'm glad you're on our side, Harry."