CHAPTER 41

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CHAPTER 41

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With Seraphina Rosier's assistance, Elmi could embark on the journey of creating real potions, similar to those in Snape's demanding class. The challenge, however, lay in finding a suitable location for their clandestine potion-making endeavors. Elmi was determined not to resort to the cliché of an abandoned bathroom, a choice that had led to numerous misadventures for the trio.

As he pondered over a suitable place, a light bulb flickered to life above Elmi's head. The Room of Requirement! It struck him as the perfect haven for their potion-making experiments. A magical space that adapted to the needs and desires of the seeker, the Room of Requirement seemed tailor-made for this. 

...

Elmi sought out the Room of Requirement on the seventh floor of Hogwarts, within the left corridor. Positioned opposite the tapestry illustrating Barnabas, the Barmy's ill-fated endeavor to teach trolls ballet, the room hid behind a concealed entrance. To reveal its presence, one had to walk past the wall three times while concentrating on their specific need.

With alchemical studies and potion-making in mind, Elmi paced the corridor, repeating his thoughts like a mantra: "I need a safe space for alchemy, I need a safe space for alchemy, I need a safe space for alchemy." 

While Elmi was pacing, Byakko watched him; she turned her head sideways and looked like she was asking what this boy was doing now. After a few more seconds, her attention was broken, and she returned to grooming herself. 

At this moment, as Elmi completed the third pass, a door materialized on the wall as if conjured from thin air. Elmi stepped through the door, entering a Room of Requirement crafted specifically for alchemical studies and the intricate art of potion making. 

Shelves lined with neatly organized vials and crates for ingredients filled the walls. What surprised Elmi was that some of the vials and crates were filled with herbs and substances he recognized. They were cheap and easily found ingredients, but they were still worth around 20 galleons. Elmi thought those must be things lost by people who graduated from the school.

The room's magical properties extended to a workbench at its center, where an array of alchemical instruments awaited—a cauldron, stirring rods, delicate scales, and many other things. Bookshelves, filled with tomes on alchemical theory and potion-making secrets, stood against another wall.

When they entered the room, Byakko ran into the middle of the room and jumped onto the table to see all of the room without any obstruction. After seeing the corner with a comfortable seating area provide a space for contemplation and discussion, she jumped down and gracefully walked there. 

Then she jumped onto a small table with a luxurious pillow on top. She clawed the pillow a bit, then comfortably lay on top of it like this was always her own spot. Elmi said with a bemused voice,

"Hmh, it looks like the room didn't forget about our royal highness."

Elmi wanted to pet and scratch Byakko's head, but she grumbled, stating clearly she didn't want to be disturbed while resting. Elmi mockingly bowed and said,

"As you wish, my queen."

He smiled and left her alone to do what he came here to do.

....

In the enchanting seclusion of the Room of Requirement, Elmi embarked on his first project in alchemy. The space was attuned to his magical needs. He was humming with anticipation as he gathered the necessary ingredients and arranged them meticulously on the workbench. The soft glow of ambient lighting casts a warm aura over the room, creating a beautiful scene.

Elmi's hands deftly moved among the alchemical instruments, selecting the appropriate tools for his potion-making. The cauldron stood ready, its metal surface gleaming with a pristine glow. He had cleaned every tool he was going to use. As he began combining ingredients with precision, he was fully focused; other than the ingredient and cauldron, his eyes were seeing nothing.

Within the confines of the Room of Requirement, Elmi's alchemical journey unfolded, promising a tapestry of discoveries and magical feats yet to be realized. The hidden sanctuary provided the perfect backdrop for his experiments, shielding his work from the outside world while offering a secure haven for the burgeoning alchemist to delve into the mysteries of potion-making.

...

The soft glow of a magical light source inside the Room of Requirement illuminated Elmi's concentrated face as he prepared to brew the Draught of Peace. All the necessary ingredients were on the table: powdered moonstone, syrup of hellebore, powdered porcupine quills, and a sprig of lavender. Elmi meticulously measured each ingredient, paying careful attention to the nuances of the potion-making process.

Its silvery dust settles into the liquid base. The syrup of hellebore followed, its deep blue hue contrasting with the moonstone's silvery glow. As the potion began to take form, Elmi added the powdered porcupine quills, their essence contributing a subtle edge to the concoction. The fragrance of the Draught of Peace started to waft through the air, a harmonious blend of magical ingredients. 

Even its scent was full of tranquility, as this potion aimed to put people in a serene state of mind. Lastly, he delicately placed a sprig of lavender into the mixture. The soothing aroma of the herb intensified, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. Elmi stirred the potion clockwise, the rhythmic motion both calming and methodical. 

His unique eyes, attuned to the movement of magic, allowed him to witness the subtle currents within the cauldron. It was as if he could see the magical energies intertwining, reacting to each ingredient in a dance of alchemical fusion. This insight guided his every move, ensuring that the potion's creation was not just a mechanical process but a harmonious collaboration with magical ingredients. 

But there was one problem, maybe because this was his first time creating this potion or because he was too excited to freely being able to brew potions. He had stirred the potion a bit too fast, and he could see a bit of disharmony growing inside the potion.

He could see the potion was not going to be perfect, but he wanted to see it through; he wanted to see how much this was going to affect the outcome. Upon completion of the stirring, Elmi applied controlled heat to the cauldron, allowing the potion to simmer and mature. 

The room filled with a serene glow as the Draught of Peace reached its final form. Elmi carefully ladled the potion into a vial; he raised the vial to the light to inspect it. Its surface reflects the soft radiance of a successful brew. 

However, upon closer inspection, Elmi noted the imperfections – a slight discoloration and a muted fragrance, and there were tiny bits of sediments in the potion; all the alchemical books he read stated that the potion needed to have a clear and sediment-free appearance. At that moment, he realized that even a little faster stirring speed could ruin a potion. 

Of course, the potion was a success but an average or subpar one, and in Elmi's book, the average was equal to failure. Potion-making was part science, part magic. Since he could see the movement of magic inside the cauldron, he had an edge, but this didn't mean he could create perfect potions without care and attention. 

A moment of excitement or carelessness could ruin everything. Determined to achieve perfection, he poured the potion into the trash and began anew. With the lessons learned from the initial attempt, his second endeavor unfolded with refined expertise.