Chapter 25: Success Or Failure?
If not for a lot of things, the wand was at least right for one. It wouldn't have made a difference if she hadn't even tried to brew the potion because then, she would've only assumed that she couldn't brew any.
Also, it helped her get an idea of how incredibly difficult the process of brewing a potion was. Even the making of this basic potion had proved to be a bit harsh on her. She was completely exhausted and didn't even have the strength to lift her finger.
Seeing how exhausted Annie was, the wand was kind enough to place a blanket on her while she was lying on the couch with Teddy in her arms.
Annie thought while lovingly stroking Teddy's dark blue fur with her eyes closed, 'I just hope that the potion is successfully brewed. I don't want any problems to occur. But..'
She frowned as she felt a pain in her head and thought, 'This fucking pain in my head just won't go away! It feels like my head just got deep-fried. Being completely focused on every step of the process for the past few hours, and the mental pressure to not commit any mistake was too much for my brain. It was ki-'
Suddenly, a loud explosion shook Annie out of her thoughts.
BOOM
Annie quickly turned around and her eyes widened at the sight of a strange black smoke rising from the cauldron, making her scream in her head, 'OH NO!'
She couldn't help but smell the air and quickly put her hand over her nose and mouth.
"What the fuck is that smell?! Ewww! It smells like... almost like.. fermented pee. How the fuck would I know what fermented pee smells like?!"
The wand didn't know what fermented pee smelled like, but seeing how Annie's face contorted in disgust was enough for it. It did not have a body or limbs but still, it wanted to put a hand over its mouth. Even when it didn't have one.
SQUEAAAKKK
Teddy squeaked so loud that Annie had to cover her ears too. She glanced at him only to see him cover his long snout with his paws and glare at her as if to say, "What did you do?! What's that smell?! Go and clean up your mess!"
Annie could only glare back at the niffler who hid himself in the blanket and said, "I am going to clear up my mess!"
She shook her head, disgusted by her thoughts of pee, and with all of her remaining strength forced her body to stand up on her own two feet. She looked at the wand and asked, "Can you please check what happened to the potion?"
"Of course.", The wand replied, flew toward the cauldron, and hovered above it for a few seconds.
Annie bit her nails nervously and thought, 'Please don't say that it's ruined! Please don't say that it's ruined!'
The wand flew back to her and replied with some difficulty, "I... Uh.."
"What is it? Come on! Say it!", Annie urged the wand.
The wand sighed and replied, "I don't know what happened. But... the potion isn't ready. I'd say.... that it's ruined."
"No!", Annie exclaimed in horror as she realized that her worst fears had come true.
Annie felt the strength left in her legs vanish. Her head began spinning too and she couldn't remain standing straight.
THUD
Annie fell back on the couch and covered her face with her hands.
"Why? Why did it happen? What did I do wrong?", Annie cried out as tears streamed down her cheeks, "I did everything by the book. I didn't make a single mistake. I gave it my all. But still... Why?!"
"Annie..", The wand tried to console her but she kept crying.
Teddy peeked from under the blanket and squeaked slowly as if to say, "Don't cry, Annie!"
But, that didn't stop her from crying her heart out.
A few minutes later, Annie wiped the tears off of her face and thought, 'I don't know what happened but I can't give up now. Especially after all of the things I've gone through and especially after the hard work I put in while making the.. failed potion.'
She covered herself with the blanket while thinking, 'I can't let myself go through the path of self-destruction again. There's something wrong with the potion. I need to try again to see what will happen. I just need to take a small break…'