We need luck

Soisen remembered that the location for the maze for the last test was to be set on the quidditch pitch, so taking advantage of the flights he made with Buckbeak from time to time, he drew a sort of map taking advantage of the fact that the plants that would form the maze had not finished growing.

So as not to be too suspicious, he only approached the growing labyrinth once every three or four flights, giving the impression that he was wandering aimlessly all around.

-Dammit, the maze is so huge that I won't be able to record and memorize the whole map," he concluded in frustration after examining his logs in detail.

He could try to learn a single path to get to the heart of the maze, where the canopy would be, but it was enough for the bushes to move just once to get lost.

-If it was just getting in and out of the maze, I could use the same trick that was used in the Minotaur's maze -he complained while pondering different possibilities and scenarios- I would even prefer if we were left in the center of the maze and it was a competition to get out of it first, just destroy a path in a straight line and that's it!

For the first two tests, his advantage due to knowledge was undeniable, but the third was not even a fair or skill test in his eyes, since anyone who entered the maze was capable, on the contrary, getting to the center of the maze depended much more on the....

-Luck? -Soisen blinked and realized that he had just stumbled upon the crux of the matter, "Is that all I really need? -he muttered to himself.

In fact, he checked the Tournament rules thoroughly and saw that aside from some darker arts that were banned for being excessive and products involving dark magic or sacrifice, they hardly denied the use of other things.

As if Potter would not be allowed to use gills in the second test?

-That's it," Soisen relaxed after finding the solution to his problems.

He would simply brew a small portion of Felix Felicis and drink it before the final test, with Snape's help, he would be more than capable of getting the few missing ingredients and he could get a second opinion to verify that his potion was flawless since it would be the first time he would be brewing it.

The only reason he didn't prepare several bottles of this liquid luck potion and store them is because he knows that playing too much with great powers like time, fate or luck always ends up resulting in some kind of terrible retribution.

In fact, since she still didn't know who confused the Goblet of Fire, she suspected that the plan to turn the goblet into a Transporter was still in motion and it was very likely that Krum was manipulated again, so she only had even more reason to improve her luck that day.

An interesting event is that Fleur ended up joining the Order of the Hippogriff after a unanimous vote, something that was unexpectedly proposed by none other than founding member Cho Chang.

Apparently they hit it off very well.

When Fleur realized that Soisen was part of the Order and did not invite her, she chased him through the corridors of Hogwarts for three days with their nights, which caused Krum's misunderstanding of seeing them to intensify.

Cedric for his part, could understand that his girlfriend most likely did it on purpose, but like a good boyfriend, he made sure to shut his mouth and enjoy the show without interfering or helping.

Soisen could only swallow the slurs accusing him unjustly wronged, because he knew that no matter what he said in his defense, Fleur would still find a way to blame him even if he was innocent.

Her intention was to ask him to join AFTER the Tournament!

In the end, he could only seek solace with his own girlfriend, which Sylvia happily provided as she tugged his hand into a more private corner and gave furtive glances around.

...A few hours and cuddles later....

-Do you want to brew the liquid luck potion? -Snape thought he had misheard for a moment.

-Yes, I intend to use it for the last test -Soisen explained his reasoning and how he checked that it does not violate any tournament restrictions -But although I believe I can brew it, being the first time, I lack the confidence to confirm its results and I do not want to risk out of pride taking a faulty potion.

-Snape was only silent for a few seconds before asking to confirm that he knew the correct process.

Soisen explained the recipe step by step.

Add ashwinder egg to a cauldron, then add horseradish and heat.

Juice an albarrana onion bulb, add it to the cauldron and stir vigorously.

Chop the anemone-like growth on the back of Murtlap before adding it to the mixture and heating.

Add a pinch of thyme tincture and stir very slowly.

Grind the shell of an Occamy egg and add it to the mixture, stir slowly clockwise and heat.

Add a pinch of powdered common rue.

Once the rue settles completely at the bottom of the cauldron, stir vigorously and then heat the cauldron one last time.

When the dawn light comes up and touches the liquid, wave the wand over the potion in a figure eight and say the incantation: Felixempra!

-Correct, there are no omissions or unnecessary steps in the preparation," Snape nodded approvingly, "Most ingredients are easily obtainable, so I assume that aside from overseeing the preparation of the potion, you also expect me to be able to help you with that as well.

Soisen did nothing to hide or deny it. While it is true that if he waits and writes to Nagini he could work that out with a bit of time, he preferred to have a finished product before the date arrives or he would have to run around thinking of some other plan.

-I have some Occamy eggshell fragments I could provide, but....

-What do you want in return? -Soisen was clear that no matter how much Snape liked him, he wasn't going to give him the rare ingredients for his potions for free for nothing.

He would need to make a deal. And he liked to make deals.

-I want full, unrestricted access to the potions facilities at Galegold House for the next three, no, four years," Snape posed.

As a Potions professor, he still remembered the excellent equipment available there, but he dared not use it too much lest he lose face. With the excuse of the deal, he could prepare many highly complex potions with absolute confidence, privacy and preparation.

-I agree, on the condition that he must not brew potions with harmful effects that could corrode the equipment or leave permanent damage.

Snape considered this in silence for a few minutes.

-All right, we have a deal.