Moonsbane

Lost in his thoughts, Harry was brought back to reality by Ron's voice gently shaking his shoulder. "Harry, mate, it's dinner time," Ron said, his expression a mix of amusement and concern.

Blinking away his reverie, Harry looked up to see Ron, Neville, and Hermione standing before him. He offered them a sheepish smile before rising from his chair.

"Right, let's go," Harry said, falling into step beside his friends as they made their way to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall buzzed with activity as students filled the room, the sound of cutlery clinking against plates mingling with the chatter of voices. Harry quickly found an empty seat alongside Ron, Neville, and Hermione, eager to satisfy his hunger after a long day.

The feast laid out before them was a wide array of dishes, from roast chicken to buttered potatoes to savory pies. Harry wasted no time in helping himself to a bit of everything, his appetite whetted by the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air.

As they ate, Ron couldn't resist teasing Hermione about the nickname given to her by Dinky. "So, Hermione, did you hear you've got a new nickname," Ron said with a grin. "Bushy Bunny, was it Neville?"

Neville snorted, "Yes, it was"

Hermione rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Honestly, those house-elves and their nicknames," she muttered, shaking her head.

Neville chuckled, unable to contain his amusement. "It was Dinky, actually. She seemed quite proud of herself for coming up with it."

Ron grinned mischievously, "Well, it's quite fitting, don't you think? Bushy hair, bounding around like a bunny?"

Hermione huffed in mock indignation, but there was a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, ha-ha, very funny, Ron. Just you wait until I come up with a nickname for you."

Ron's grin widened, "Looking forward to it."

Harry didn't pay much attention to their banter. He was preoccupied thinking about the tasks ahead. Lost in his thoughts, Harry contemplated the various potions he needed to brew, each one presenting its own set of challenges and requirements. The Animalis Elixir and Moonsbane Elixir were at the forefront of his mind, but he knew he couldn't tackle them all at once.

"I should focus on one at a time," Harry thought to himself, running through the ingredients and procedures in his mind. "First, I'll need Lupin's blood for the Moonsbane Elixir. That means I'll have to convince him to help me, or perhaps enlist Snape's assistance."

The idea of involving Snape made Harry uneasy, but he knew the potions master's expertise could prove invaluable. Plus, he didn't have the luxury of time to waste on trial and error and Lupin would not really have a reason to give him blood if it was just Harry's idea. 

"But if I'm going to Diagon Alley, I could gather the ingredients myself," Harry mused, weighing his options. "It might be safer than involving Snape, but it'll take longer. Decisions, decisions..."

And then there was the matter of the Animagus Potion. The thought of transforming into an animal, of sharing that bond with his friends, excited Harry beyond measure. Yet, he knew the risks involved, the potential dangers of attempting such a complex spell.

"For now, I'll set that aside," Harry decided, pushing the idea to the back of his mind. "I'll need more time and resources to properly prepare for that endeavor. But once we've mastered it, imagine the possibilities..."

He would deal with it next year and hopefully the others would be interested in it as well. He knew that the twins, Ron and Ginny would be interested; Neville not too sure; Luna well she is Luna so she is quite unpredictable; Hermione would be the hardest to convince so hopefully by next year Harry would have influenced her enough for rule breaking.

Harry blinked, snapping out of his reverie as Hermione nudged him gently. He looked up to find Ron, Neville, and Hermione exchanging curious glances.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Harry hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "Oh, nothing much," he replied casually, his mind racing to come up with an explanation. "Just thinking about a personal project."

The three of them leaned in, their interest piqued. "A personal project? What kind of project?" Ron asked eagerly.

Harry shrugged, playing it off as nonchalantly as possible. "Just a small potion I've been toying with," he said vaguely. "Nothing too exciting, really."

Neville's eyes widened with curiosity. "What does it do?"

Harry hesitated, not quite ready to divulge his plans just yet. "I'll tell you once I've succeeded in making it," he said with a secretive smile. "For now, it's a work in progress."

Hermione studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Well, if you need any help with it, just let us know. We're here for you, Harry."

Harry nodded gratefully, touched by their support. "Thanks, Hermione. I'll keep that in mind."

Ron with a mischievous glint in his eyes whispered to Neville, "So, Harry's got a secret potion project, eh? Wonder what he's brewing up."

Neville chuckled, intrigued by the mystery. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Just then, the chatter in the Great Hall grew louder as more students entered for dinner. Harry glanced around, taking in the bustling scene with a sense of familiarity and comfort.

"Come on, let's eat," Ron said, breaking the momentary silence. "We can talk more about Harry's potion later."

As they dug into their meal, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, but Harry's mind continued to churn with thoughts of his secret project, eager to see it come to fruition.

After finishing dinner, Harry excused himself from the table, citing the need to speak with Professor Lupin about some questions he had. As Ron, Neville, and Hermione headed off towards the Gryffindor tower, Harry wasted no time in making his way towards the dungeons where Snape's office was located.

The corridors were dimly lit as Harry hurried through them, his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. He was eager to catch Snape before he retired to his quarters for the evening. Finally, he reached the familiar door to Snape's office and rapped his knuckles against it.

"Enter," came Snape's curt voice from within.

Harry pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding Snape seated behind his desk, a quill poised over a stack of parchment. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls.

"What do you want, Harry?" Snape asked.

Harry took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "I need to talk to you about something, Professor," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's about a potion I'm working on."

Snape raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "A potion, you say? And what kind of Potion is it"

Harry took a deep breath, meeting Snape's penetrating gaze head-on. "It's a potion called Moonsbane Elixir, sir," he explained. "It's designed to counteract the effects of lycanthropy."

Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of curiosity flashing across his features. "I believe it's called Wolfsbane potion Harry"

Harry shook his head, his resolve firm. "No sir, this is not the Wolfsbane potion. It's a more advanced version called Moonsbane Elixir."

Snape's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Moonsbane Elixir?" he repeated, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"Yes, sir," Harry affirmed, meeting Snape's gaze head-on. "It's designed to not only mitigate the aggression of a werewolf after transformation but also allow them to retain their human mind. In essence, it renders them harmless to humans even in their transformed state."

Snape's expression softened slightly, though suspicion still lingered in his eyes. "Harry, such a potion sounds highly complex," he remarked, his tone cautious. "Are you certain you understand the risks involved in attempting to brew it?"

Harry nodded, his determination unwavering. "I do, sir," he replied firmly. "But I believe it's worth the effort, especially if it can offer relief to those affected by lycanthropy."

Snape regarded him for a moment longer before finally nodding. "Very well, Harry," he conceded, his tone begrudgingly acknowledging Harry's determination. "I will assist you in acquiring the necessary ingredients. But I want to see the recipe first"

"I understand, Professor," Harry replied gratefully. "I could write the recipe out if you provide me some parchment"

Snape reached for a piece of parchment and a quill, silently handing them over to Harry. "Write it out," he instructed, his expression unreadable.

Harry wasted no time, carefully detailing the ingredients and the precise steps required to brew the Moonsbane Elixir.

"Moonsbane Elixir

Ingredients:

1. Lunar Lotus: To be harvested under the full moon's light. It serves as the potion's core component, facilitate synchronization with the lunar cycle.

2. Wolfsbane Essence: Obtain the essence from the Wolfsbane plant, crucial for tempering the violent tendencies of lycanthropy.

3. Moonstone Dust: Grind moonstone particles finely to augment the potion's connection with lunar energy, ensuring stability during the werewolf's transformation.

4. Silverfern Fern Essence: Extract essence from the Silverfern Fern, known for its resilience in moonlit forests. It counters the harmful effects of silver, safeguarding against silver-based injuries.

5. Wolfsbane Root: Use the root of the Wolfsbane plant for its transformative properties; collected during the waxing phase of the moon.

6. Drinkers Blood: To better accommodate the potion to the individual.

Harry finishes writing the recipe and hands it to Snape who takes it and goes through it.

Snape furrowed his brow as he read through the recipe, a sense of bewilderment washing over him. These ingredients were not particularly rare or elusive, yet he had never heard of such a potion before. And where had Harry come across this potion? It was unlike anything Snape had encountered in his extensive studies of potion-making.

But as he scrutinized the recipe more closely, a dawning realization began to take hold. Each step was meticulously designed to maximize the potency of the ingredients, to harness their latent properties in a way that Snape had never considered before.

The Lunar Lotus, the Wolfsbane Essence, the Moonstone Dust—they were all familiar components, yet Harry had found a way to combine them in a manner that transcended the limitations of traditional potion-making. It was as if Harry had unlocked a hidden potential within these ingredients, tapping into a wellspring of magical energy that had remained untapped until now.

Snape glanced up at Harry, his expression a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "Where did you come across this potion, Harry?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of fascination.

Harry hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "It's... a personal project, sir," he replied evasively. "Something I've been researching in my spare time."

Snape narrowed his eyes, studying Harry intently. There was something in the way Harry spoke, a sense of determination and purpose that belied his casual demeanor. Snape couldn't help but wonder what had inspired Harry to pursue such an ambitious endeavor.

"Well, whatever your reasons, it's clear that you've put a great deal of thought into this," Snape remarked, his tone begrudgingly admiring. "I will assist you in acquiring the necessary ingredients, but I expect regular updates on your progress."

Harry nodded eagerly, grateful for Snape's assistance. "Of course, Professor. Thank you."

With that settled, Snape rose from his seat, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. "When would you like to start the potion?" he asked. "I have a feeling this potion will prove to be quite... enlightening."

"I think we can start the potion by next week sir", Harry said. "I am tied between Quidditch and homework until the end of this week sir"

Snape nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Very well, Harry," he conceded, his tone acknowledging Harry's commitments. "Next week it is. In the meantime, I expect you to devote any free time you have to studying the potion's theory. Understanding the underlying principles will be crucial to your success."

Harry nodded in agreement, determined to make the most of the time he had available. "I'll make sure to do my homework thoroughly, sir," he assured Snape.

Snape gave him a curt nod, "I'll inform you when the ingredients have been procured, now go back to your dormitory" he said over his shoulder.

Harry nodded and left the office after cluttering out a goodnight. As Harry walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, his mind buzzed with questions and doubts. What if the potion didn't work as intended? What if he failed to achieve the results he desired? What if the reason this potion was not made before was because it didn't work as intended?

With each step, the weight of his uncertainty grew heavier, casting a shadow over his thoughts. But Harry pushed aside his doubts, focusing instead on the task at hand. He couldn't afford to dwell on what-ifs; he had to stay focused and determined if he was to succeed.

By the time Harry reached the Gryffindor common room, it was already past curfew, and the room was nearly empty. Only a lone fifth-year student remained, engrossed in a book by the flickering light of the fireplace. Harry decided not to disturb her and made his way straight to the dormitory.

Once inside, Harry changed into his sleeping pajamas and climbed into bed, the weight of the day's events still weighing heavily on his mind. He lay there for a while, staring up at the canopy above him, lost in thought.

But as exhaustion began to creep in, Harry realized that dwelling on his worries would do him no good. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and let the comforting embrace of sleep wash over him. Tomorrow was a new day, and he had a Quidditch game to play. With that comforting thought in mind, Harry drifted off to sleep.

As Harry drifted off into a restless slumber, his mind still racing with thoughts of potions and possibilities, he found himself in a familiar space. The stardust glittered around him, distant stars blinking in the vast expanse of the dream realm.

Recognizing the place, Harry looked around, expecting to see the majestic serpent that often visited him in this ethereal landscape. But to his surprise, the serpent was nowhere to be found.

"Where did it go?" Harry wondered, a pang of sadness tugging at his heart. He was looking forward to see that beautiful serpent.

Feeling a sense of loss, Harry sat down in the tranquil surroundings, gazing up at the twinkling stars above. He knew he couldn't leave this place until he woke up, so he decided to wait, hoping that the serpent would return.

As he sat there, enveloped in the peaceful stillness of the dream world, Harry's mind gradually quieted. Feeling a sense of anticipation, Harry stood up as he heard the familiar slithering sound echoing through the dream world. He turned to see the space crack and a void open up before him, revealing the majestic serpent gliding towards him.

Its scales shimmered with an ever-changing palette of colors, casting an ethereal glow in the darkness. Its green eyes glistened with power as it fixed its gaze on Harry.

As the serpent approached, Harry felt a sense of awe wash over him. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing sight before him. Even if he had seen it before, he still couldn't help but be mesmerised by it.

The serpent came to a stop in front of Harry, its presence looming large in the dream realm. With a graceful movement, it bowed its head and gently nudged Harry in the chest.

Before Harry could react, a surge of energy jolted through him, pulling him back to consciousness. With a start, he opened his eyes to find himself lying in his bed in the Gryffindor dormitory, the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains.

For a moment, Harry lay still, trying to make sense of the vivid dream that still lingered in his mind. The image of the serpent played over and over in his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Then he turned and looked at his table clock, which read 6:24 am. With a sigh, Harry pushed himself upright, knowing that he had a Quidditch game to prepare for. 

As Harry swung his feet over the edge of his bed and got up, he felt a lingering sense of excitement from the dream still buzzing in his veins. He quickly grabbed a fresh set of clothes and made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower, the warm water washing away the remnants of sleep from his mind.

When he returned to the dormitory, he found Ron sitting on his bed, rubbing his eyes groggily. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's disheveled appearance. "What's got you up so early, Ron?" he asked with a grin.

Ron blinked owlishly, then shook his head to clear the sleep from his mind. "Quidditch match," he replied simply, a spark of excitement lighting up his tired eyes.

Harry chuckled, "Right...Quidditch and food are the only things that can wake you up".

Ron huffed and made his way towards the bathroom. Harry quickly checked his broom, making sure it was in top condition for the match, before heading down to the common room. He could hear the faint murmur of voices and the clatter of footsteps echoing through the empty corridors as other students began to stir from their slumber.

As he entered the common room, he found it buzzing with activity as his fellow Gryffindors gathered in small groups.

Harry settled into the seat beside Hermione, feeling a surge of excitement building within him as he anticipated the Quidditch match ahead. He glanced over at Hermione, noticing the weariness in her eyes despite her determined expression.

"You seem a bit tired, Hermione. Are you sure you should be studying so early?" Harry asked, concern lacing his voice.

Hermione waved off his concern with a dismissive gesture. "Oh, I'll be fine, Harry," she replied with a tired smile. "Just a bit of revision. You know how it is."

Harry chuckled, knowing all too well Hermione's dedication to her studies. "Well, leave the studying for today and enjoy the Quidditch match," he said, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "We've got a game to win today."

Hermione's smile widened at his words. "You're right, Harry," she said, closing her book with a determined expression. "Let's show them what Gryffindor is made of."

"Will do!" Harry smirked, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him as he looked forward to the challenge ahead.

As they sat together, Hermione couldn't help but voice her concerns. "Are you feeling nervous about the game, Harry?" she asked, her brow furrowing with worry.

Harry shook his head, his confidence unwavering. "Nervous? Nah, I'm excited," he replied with a grin. "Another chance to win one for the house."

Hermione facepalmed at his response. "Harry, too much confidence can be a bad thing, you know," she admonished.

Harry chuckled, understanding her point but unable to resist a bit of playful banter. "Oh, come on, Hermione," he teased, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I'm the boy who lived, remember?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, recognizing the sarcasm in his words, and laughed along with him. "Alright, alright, point taken," she conceded, shaking her head fondly.

Just then, they heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, and they turned to see Ron descending the stairs with a lazy yawn.

"Morning, Ron!" Harry called out, waving him over. "We're heading to the Great Hall for breakfast. Are you coming?"

Ron nodded, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Yeah, just give me a minute," he mumbled, making his way over to join them.

"How come you are still sleepy despite taking a shower?", Hermione asked.

"Good morning to you too, Bushy Bunny!", Ron replied causing her to huff and hit him in the shoulder. With Ron in tow, the trio quickly made their way to the Great Hall.

The trio entered the bustling Great Hall, greeted by the sight of students scrambling to grab breakfast before heading to the Quidditch stands. Harry noticed the twins seated at the Gryffindor table, poking at their food with tired expressions.

"What's got you two looking so glum?" Harry asked as they approached.

Fred and George looked up, their faces brightening at the sight of Harry. "Ah, Harry, just the person we wanted to see!" Fred exclaimed.

"Yeah, we've been up all night working on a new product," George added, rubbing his bleary eyes.

Harry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A new product? What is it?"

"It's a surprise, mate," Fred replied with a mischievous grin. "But let's just say it's going to revolutionize the joke industry."

Harry chuckled, knowing the twins' penchant for mischief. "Sounds interesting. But why the long faces?"

George sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "We hardly got any sleep, Harry. We're exhausted."

Fred turned to Harry, "Do the energising charm you did on us last time"

"Well, sure," Harry said, a playful glint in his eyes. 

Hermione and Ron exchanged bemused glances as Harry reached out his hand towards the twins. "Are you sure about this, Harry?" Hermione asked, her tone skeptical.

Harry nodded confidently. "Trust me, Hermione. They'll feel better after this."

With a flourish of his hand, Harry muttered the incantation under his breath, channeling his magic into a revitalizing charm. A warm glow enveloped the twins, filling them with renewed energy and vigor.

Fred and George blinked in astonishment, their fatigue melting away as they felt revitalized. "Wow, Harry, that's amazing!" Fred exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Yeah, we feel like we could take on the world now! Thanks mate!" George added, grinning from ear to ear.

Hermione and Ron looked impressed by Harry's magic once again.

"What charm is that, Harry?" Ron asked, his curiosity piqued.

Harry shrugged modestly. "Just a little trick I came up with, I'll teach you guys sometime" he replied with a smile.

With the twins energized and ready for the day ahead, the group settled down to enjoy their breakfast, eager to fuel up before the exciting Quidditch match.

Once the breakfast was over, Ron and Hermione wished Harry and the twins good luck before hurrying off to secure seats in the Quidditch stands. The trio exchanged encouraging nods and smiles, feeling the weight of Gryffindor's expectations resting on their shoulders.

Harry, Fred, and George made their way back to the Gryffindor common room, the anticipation for the match palpable in the air. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and nervous energy as students bustled about, eagerly discussing their predictions for the game.

In the common room, the twins disappeared upstairs to change into their Quidditch robes, leaving Harry to do the same. As he slipped into his scarlet and gold robes, his thoughts quickly went back to his first match where he did that freefall stunt.

After a quick change and grabbing his broom, Harry rejoined the twins in the common room. Fred and George were already buzzing with anticipation, their trademark mischievous grins lighting up their faces.

"So, what's this new item you've been working on?" Harry asked as they made their way towards the Gryffindor tent.

Fred grinned, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Ah, you're in for a treat, Harry. We call them 'Floating Fuzzbees.'"

"Floating Fuzzbees?" Harry repeated, intrigued. "What are they?"

"They're miniature Quidditch balls that float in mid-air," George explained animatedly. "We've enchanted them to hover at a height of about six feet. Perfect for practicing your Quidditch skills indoors!"

Harry's eyes widened in amazement. "That sounds incredible! How did you come up with the idea?"

"We were brainstorming for new products and thought, why not make something that helps Quidditch players train even when they can't get out to the pitch? Or in a rainy day?" Fred said, his excitement contagious.

"And thus, the Floating Fuzzbees were born, though we still need to make them" George added with a grin.

Harry nodded, impressed by the twins' ingenuity. "I can't wait to see them in action," he said eagerly, he was planning on giving them some ideas about new products but as always the twins surprised him again.

As they entered the Gryffindor tent, Harry, Fred, and George found Oliver Wood already waiting for them, his expression a mixture of nervousness and determination. Katie, Angelina, and Alicia soon joined them, their faces reflecting the same mixture of emotions.

Wood stood up, his eyes shining with determination as he addressed the team. "Alright, listen up, everyone," he began, his voice commanding attention. "We've trained hard for this moment, and today, we have a chance to prove ourselves. Slytherin is behind us, and Ravenclaw poses no major threat. But Hufflepuff and today's opponents, they're strong. They're not going to make this easy for us."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. "But we're Gryffindor! We've faced challenges before and come out victorious. Today will be no different. We know our strengths, we know our strategies. All we have to do is play our game, and victory will be ours! We have the best seeker in a century! We have two formidable beaters and three chasers who never miss! I don't see anything that can stop us this year"

A chorus of determined cheers erupted from the team as Wood finished his speech, the energy in the tent palpable. Harry felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, his excitement for the match reaching its peak after all the opposing team's seeker was Cedric Diggory. The only one in the books who was comparable to Harry. Who would win now him or Cedric?

"We're ready, Wood," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. "Let's show them what Gryffindor is made of!"

With renewed determination, the Gryffindor team gathered their brooms and made their way out of the tent, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the Quidditch pitch.