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<div class="chap-title">
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37. Chapter 37
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>Christmas eve and yet so many of you read and reviewed. I could hardly believe
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it! But I couldn't very well keep from updating when so many of you are still on top
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of things. So here you all are! Another chapter for your amusement. Thanks for all
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your support.</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 37</strong></p>
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<p>With a loud bang that sounded like a car backfiring, Harry found himself standing
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in front of what appeared to be a small Aztec pyramid. Only in appearance though for
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the weather was clearly still very much British and Harry was pretty sure that
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apparating only got someone so far. Snape removed his hand from Harry's shoulder and
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gestured towards the pyramid.</p>
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<p>"Shall we proceed?" he asked.</p>
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<p>Harry – who was too nervous to voice his agreement – nodded, clutching his bag
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with his research and his potion close to his chest.</p>
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<p>"And stop worrying, for crying out loud," Snape told him. "You've faced basilisks,
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the Dark Lord and several Death Eaters in battle. Surely you can face some decrepit
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old men."</p>
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<p>Harry snorted. "Dumbledore is old," he pointed out. "But I would rather not face
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<em>him</em> in a battle."</p>
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<p>"You're not battling these men either," Snape said. He began walking and pushed
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Harry along with a firm hand between his shoulder blades. "You're simply presenting
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your Magnum Opus."</p>
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<p>"Simply," Harry scoffed. "You're kidding, right?"</p>
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<p>"Just keep walking," Snape urged. "We've been over this. Your paper is sound. Your
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theorem is well worked-out and we both know that your potion works."</p>
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<p>"I know," Harry said. "And yet, I'm still nervous."</p>
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<p>"I'm right here," Snape told him. "Now stop fidgeting like that or I'll have you
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writing lines when we get back."</p>
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<p>"What for?" Harry asked in dismay, his nervousness somewhat forgotten.</p>
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<p>"For not believing your Master when he tells you that you have done well," Snape
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supplied.</p>
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<p>"Well, that's just –"</p>
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<p>"Hush," Snape said. "I'd rather not have my esteemed colleagues listen to our
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bickering."</p>
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<p>Together, they walked up the steps in silence until they reached the entrance at
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the very top. By the end of it, Harry felt rather winded while Snape appeared as if
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he had taken a leisurely stroll. Grumpily, Harry suspected that Snape had taken a
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potion for that.</p>
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<p>Harry was wearing the dress robes that Snape had given him for his previous
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Christmas – the ones in crimson and silver - and felt rather dashing. Especially
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after Luna had given him her seal of approval. Snape didn't look half bad himself.
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Maya had taken him shopping for new dress robes for this occasion. It had taken a lot
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of convincing and - as Harry understood it - bribing, but Snape wore dress robes that
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were a combination of emerald and black with silver accentuations on the cuffs of his
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sleeves. Naturally, the robes still billowed.</p>
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<p>"Deep breaths," Snape said quietly as he held his hand on the doorknob. "And
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relax."</p>
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<p>Harry complied and smiled at Snape to signify that he was ready. He didn't know
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why but he held his breath as Snape opened the door.</p>
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<p>Instantly, the sound of murmured voices coming to a halt reached Harry's ears.
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Snape stepped through the door and Harry followed closely. They stepped into a large
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chamber that was well-lit with torches. The walls were made up of large brick stones
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and knew very little decorative elements save for a few items that looked like
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weapons, one of which a winged staff with two snakes winding around it. Harry thought
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it would be wildly impractical to carry that thing into battle. There was also a
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sword with a silver blade and a shield shaped like a Gryphon tucking in its wings.
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Harry suspected that it was made out of solid gold.</p>
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<p>At the centre of the room stood a large round table with fourteen chairs, thirteen
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of which were currently occupied by – as Snape had said before – old men. Harry only
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recognised one and wondered when exactly Professor Slughorn had arrived here.</p>
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<p>"Gentlemen," Snape greeted evenly, standing tall. Harry felt sort of in awe when
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he saw just how confident Snape was, glancing at each and every face in the room with
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a positively bored expression on his face, his hands clasped behind his back.</p>
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<p>"We do appreciate you being so very prompt, Severus," a short man said. His hair
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was long and silvery and tied into a thick ponytail and he wore a short beard.
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Something about his features seemed familiar to Harry but he couldn't quite put his
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finger on it. He noticed that he was fidgeting and willed himself to stop.</p>
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<p>"Of course, Caratacus," Snape replied politely. "I understand that you are a very
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busy man. Especially these days. We will take no more of your time than absolutely
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necessary."</p>
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<p>The other men all eyed Harry and Snape curiously but none of them spoke. Harry got
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the distinct impression that this Caratacus character was the boss of sorts. Even
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Slughorn didn't do anything but smile and nod at Harry. Though the small
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acknowledgement put Harry a bit more at ease, even if only slightly.</p>
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<p>"Kindly present us with your Magnum Opus, Mr Potter," Caratacus said urgently.
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Harry hastily started walking over to the table when Snape stopped him with his
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outstretched hand and motioned for the boy to give him his research. Harry obliged
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willingly and watched how Snape duplicated the papers fourteen times, passing along a
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copy to each of the Masters present. He presented the bottled potion in the middle of
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the table and spoke.</p>
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<p>"Harry James Potter who is apprenticed to myself, Severus Snape, is presenting his
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potion named Umbral Locum. I have supervised the creation of this potion as well as
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most of its test runs. You will find a detailed description of both the theorem and
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the practical findings in the papers in your hands. I kindly ask you to read through
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them and hold all questions until after you're finished."</p>
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<p>Snape took a seat in the last empty chair and started reading his own copy. Harry
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suppressed a frown. Snape had read through all his paperwork several times over. No
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doubt he knew several of the pages by heart by now. The man didn't even glance at
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Harry as he stood waiting as rigidly as he could. Harry suspected that this had
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everything to do with decorum and tried not to mind as much as he once would have.
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Instead, he occluded his mind and allowed himself to become at ease.</p>
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<p>When he visibly relaxed, Harry could've sworn that he saw a smile on Snape's face
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but didn't know if that was because of the notes he was currently reading or because
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he knew that Harry had occluded.</p>
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<p>It seemed to take forever for the men to read everything they had been given.
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Harry tried to read the facial expressions of the Masters present but they weren't
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exactly open books. Every now and then, one would glance at the potion in the middle
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of the table. Other times, one's eyebrows would go up so far that they almost
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disappeared into their hair. Harry saw some shake their heads where others smiled
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very lightly. When Caratacus started rapping his fingers on the table, Harry looked
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at the man only to find him staring right at him.</p>
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<p>Harry immediately righted himself, neatly clasped his hands behind his back and
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tried to look worthy of the man's attention. He seemed to be waiting for something.
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Eventually, the other Masters closed their bundle of paperwork and folded their
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hands, waiting until everyone else was finished. When they were, Caratacus spoke
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first.</p>
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<p>"This potion of yours needs to be personalized during its creation", he said.</p>
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<p>"Yes sir," Harry replied, pleased that his voice sounded loud and clear.</p>
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<p>"Then tell me, Mr Potter," the man continued, "just for whom was this particular
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potion brewed? The one now sitting in front of is."</p>
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<p>"For me, sir," Harry answered again.</p>
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<p>"Surely you understand that we can't test a potion that won't work on us. Has
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anyone but you ever tested this potion?"</p>
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<p>"Yes, sir," Harry replied eagerly. He felt a slight tremor in his hands behinds
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his back and squeezed his fingers. "My Master – Severus Snape – has drunk the potion
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before."</p>
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<p>This elicited a few quiet murmurs as the attention shifted to Snape who sat
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straight in his chair.</p>
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<p>"Severus," Caratacus prompted. "Is this true?"</p>
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<p>"It is," Snape replied honestly. "And I can testify that it does indeed work as
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promised."</p>
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<p>"As long as you are able to Occlude," Caratacus pointed out. "What would happen to
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those who could?"</p>
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<p>"We haven't tested that," Harry replied again. "And I would advise against it. I
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suspect the test subject might lose memories of the person they are meeting with. I
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would suggest anyone willing to try it who is not able to occlude to have an
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Occlumens join them for their protection."</p>
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<p>"There aren't that many around, I daresay," Caratacus said again.</p>
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<p>"No sir," Harry admitted.</p>
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<p>"Very well," Caratacus coughed and flipped a few pages. "I must admit that it is
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rather disconcerting that this potion requires the use of blood." He gazed at Harry
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from across his spectacles, regarding him for a moment. "Surely, you understand that
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this is highly unorthodox and will likely be allowed only under various
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restrictions."</p>
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<p>"I would hope so, sir," Harry replied. "While I created this potion to help
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people, I also understand that it wouldn't be to everyone's benefit to meet with the
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dead. If a mind healer would deem it helpful, I would hope that the patient would be
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allowed its use."</p>
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<p>Harry was starting to feel rather proud of himself. He had prepared this meeting
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through and through. And while before, he had been worried that he might not be able
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to answer all questions, he found that so far he had no problems in doing so. He
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could feel Snape's gaze resting on him but didn't dare look away from Caratacus in
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fear that he would be deemed impolite for doing so.</p>
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<p>"I suppose that would be agreeable," Caratacus said before flipping through more
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pages. After a while, he sighed deeply. "Mr Potter," he said. "The brewing of this
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potion requires the use of Occlumency, innate magic and an alchemical circle. These
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are all very rare skills and I must say that most of the brewers in our guild do not
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possess these skills. One perhaps but not two and only very rarely all three."</p>
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<p>"I admit that the difficulty level of this potion is high," Harry said. "But the
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skills required to brew it – while rare – can certainly be learned. I assure you that
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anyone who is willing enough to brew the Umbral Locum will succeed in learning these
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skills. They might even benefit them in their own creations."</p>
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<p>A new round of murmurs swept across the table and Harry wondered if he had said
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too much. This time he did glance at Snape and saw that the man was smirking, an
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amused glint in his eyes.</p>
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<p>"As you say," Caratacus said when his colleagues quieted down. "I suppose the test
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is not to create a potion that is easy to replicate but rather to create something
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beneficial to our magical kind. Thank you for your presentation, Mr Potter. We shall
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take this into account as well as your other creations of late and put the question
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of your Mastery to a vote. We shall send you an owl with our decision."</p>
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<p>"Of course, sir," Harry said respectfully.</p>
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<p>"Gentlemen," Snape greeted again as he rose from his seat and joined Harry on his
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way out. He was – after all – not allowed to vote for his own apprentice.</p>
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<p>"How did I do?" Harry asked. He had begun fidgeting again.</p>
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<p>"You've done admirably," Snape said gruffly, an angry scowl in place.</p>
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<p>"And yet, you don't seem happy," Harry pointed out. "What's wrong?"</p>
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<p>"You heard them," Snape sighed as he sat down on the very last step. "They're not
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going to allow you a Mastery this time."</p>
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<p>Harry frowned. "Why not?"</p>
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<p>"Saying that they'll review your other creations first," Snape huffed. "Honestly,
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this potion should have been more than enough to convince all of them on the spot.
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Also, they know very well what you've been brewing so far. I've kept them updated to
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the best of my abilities. Honestly, Lovegood just can't stand young talent and would
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rather convince his colleagues that you're too young rather than accept your
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talent."</p>
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<p>"Lovegood?" Harry asked in confusion.</p>
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<p>"Yes," Snape said. "Caratacus Lovegood. He's the head of St Mungo's."</p>
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<p>Harry found himself gaping at his father. "What?" he asked. "And you didn't think
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that important enough to tell me?"</p>
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<p>"Which part?" Snape asked cleverly. "That he's the head of St Mungo's or that he's
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your girlfriend's uncle?"</p>
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<p>"Oh, I don't know," Harry replied sardonically. "Perhaps both?"</p>
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<p>Snape chuckled softly. "Neither of these facts would have done you any good in
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your quest today. Your head was swimming with information already and I did not feel
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the need to add to your inner turmoil."</p>
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<p>"Does he dislike me?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"Hm," Snape replied. "Dislike is a strong word. But he believes that at least part
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of your success of late has much to do with your status and your defeat of the Dark
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Lord. He would probably need some more convincing before he sees that your skills are
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your own."</p>
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<p>"As if you would ever allow me to cheat," Harry snorted. "You'd sooner become the
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next Dark Lord."</p>
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<p>Snape laughed loudly at that. "As you say," he replied with another chuckle. "Now,
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I suggest we leave this wretched place behind. Worry not. There will be more
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chances."</p>
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<p>"Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get there," Harry said as he smiled at
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his shoes. He didn't see Snape's befuddled expression but just smiled feeling better
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with the consoling words Luna had given him before he even really needed them.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>When Harry joined his friends in the great hall for dinner, it became clear that
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they had been waiting for him expectantly. Even Draco had joined the Gryffindor table
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again and Luna had taken a seat next to him. Harry swallowed a groan and took a seat
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next to Ron.</p>
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<p>"So," Draco said. "Are you a Master yet?"</p>
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<p>"Unfortunately not," Harry sighed. "Well, officially they will let me know their
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vote via owl post but Snape thinks they're just stalling."</p>
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<p>Ron frowned. "Why would they do that?"</p>
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<p>Harry shrugged. "Snape thinks said that they are very archaic in their way of
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thinking and difficult to convince. He also said that Mr Lovegood probably thinks I
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only got as far as I did because of my reputation." He glanced at Luna who was
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listening with a serene smile on her face.</p>
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<p>"Hold on," Hermione interjected. "Lovegood, you said?" She then turned to face
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Luna. "I didn't know there was a Potions Master in your family."</p>
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<p>"Oh yes," Luna said airily. "My uncle is quite an amazing potioneer. He really
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seems to listen to the elements, as I gather. Father is quite jealous of him
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actually. He doesn't do a lot of brewing anymore though. He doesn't have the time
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since he's running St Mungo's and everything."</p>
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<p>Hermione nearly choked on her food. "Hang on!" she gasped. "He's the head of St
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Mungo's as well? That's amazing!"</p>
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<p>Luna smiled. "Yes, he has always been quite ambitious," she admitted. "But it
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makes me feel sad for him. I don't think he ever finds the time to think about
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himself anymore. It made him somewhat difficult to approach."</p>
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<p>"Hm," Harry responded. "He seemed stern but not unfair."</p>
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<p>"That's right," Luna said. "You'll just need to convince him somehow. I am
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absolutely sure that you will get his vote once he sees what you can do."</p>
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<p>This cheered Harry up somewhat. "Thanks, Luna," he said, putting his hand on hers.
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He glanced over at the high table where Snape was talking with Maya. She shook her
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head slightly and said something in a rather fierce manner that made Snape laugh. She
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glanced at Harry and when she noticed him looking at her, she looked at him sadly.
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Harry just shrugged and smiled at her.</p>
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<p>"It's nice to see everyone so happy," Luna said. "I think Professor Snape might
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finally have rediscovered himself."</p>
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<p>"Whatever <em>that</em> means," Ron snorted before helping himself to a roll.</p>
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<p>"Good to see that you're all turning into a big, happy family," Draco said far to
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sarcastically. He skewered a piece of meat and inelegantly shoved it in his
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mouth.</p>
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<p>Harry regarded the Slytherin carefully, remembering that things weren't well with
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his mother. "Draco," he said. "Is everything alright?"</p>
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<p>Harry did his best not to say too much in front of his friends. He didn't think
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Draco would want the news about his ill mother to spread.</p>
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<p>"As much as it was before," Draco sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry. That was uncalled
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for. You deserve to be happy and Snape does too. It won't do to be envious."</p>
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<p>Harry bumped into Draco's shoulder with his own ever so slightly and grinned at
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the boy when he glared at him.</p>
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<p>"Everything will be okay," he told the blonde. "Just you wait."</p>
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<p>"How much longer?" Draco sighed.</p>
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<p>"One day at a time," Harry told his friend. He ignored the odd glances their
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friends were giving them, as did Draco. He didn't seem too convinced but offered
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Harry a small smile nonetheless.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>"Those old goats need to be replaced anyway," Maya said as she passionately
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pointed her fork at Snape. "Any person with half a brain could see that Harry knew
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what he was talking about." She huffed as she cut her pasta into very small pieces.
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"I have half a mind to go over there myself and tell them what's what."</p>
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<p>Snape chuckled. "You will do no such thing," he told her. "In fact, you wouldn't
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even know where to go."</p>
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<p>"So tell me," Maya urged.</p>
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<p>"Eat your food," Snape told her as he cut into his own vegetables.</p>
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<p>"I am," Maya protested. She ate a forkful of pasta and glanced at Gryffindor
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table. "Harry seems to be taking it well."</p>
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<p>"He has good friends," Snape told her. "And he knows that he can always try again
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later. In any case, it would have been rather early for him to become a Master,
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wouldn't you say?"</p>
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<p>Maya shrugged. "What does age matter if your talent speaks for you?"</p>
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<p>"He could probably do with some more life experience first," Snape said plainly.
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"Perhaps then those old coots would take him more seriously."</p>
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<p>"And where would he be getting that experience?" Maya asked incredulously. "He
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needs to finish his education first."</p>
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<p>"I'm thinking about it," Snape replied with a sideways glance at McGonagall.
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"Don't worry so much. You're supposed to be impartial about your students."</p>
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<p>Maya snorted indignantly. "Since he's your son, I can't do that," she pointed out.
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"As if <em>you</em> are impartial."</p>
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<p>Snape chuckled. "Much more so now than I was a few years ago," he admitted. "I
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don't let my personal relationship with Harry get in the way of my classes, in any
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case, nor of his apprenticeship."</p>
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<p>"Neither do I," Maya said. She dumped another handful of cheese on her plate and
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meshed it in the dish. "But I can feel sorry for him while I sit here where no other
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student can hear me."</p>
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<p>"I suppose," Snape agreed. "Just don't grade his essays unfairly simply because
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he's a bit down about his result."</p>
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<p>Maya chuckled. "You and your essays," she said, swatting his shoulder
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playfully.</p>
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<p>Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Surely, you would not have them submit
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<em>drawings</em> about their favourite historic event?"</p>
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<p>Maya just winked at him and took another bite of her food, not acknowledging
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Snape's question with an answer. Dumbledore seemed to be humming pleasantly in the
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background.</p>
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<p>"I am working with lunatics," Snape mumbled amusedly and somewhere to his left,
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McGonagall snorted.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>It was only the next morning when Slughorn had returned to Hogwarts and had taken
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his seat at the high table. Harry looked at him anxiously – a part of him still
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hoping that Snape had read too much into Lovegood's response – but was met with a
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neutral mask of indifference. Snape was talking to him in what appeared to be a
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hushed whisper but he too showed no emotions.</p>
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<p>Harry was drawn out of his thoughts when a soft, fleeting kiss was pressed against
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his cheek. He looked up just in time to see Luna sitting down next to him.</p>
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<p>"Good morning, Luna," Hermione greeted her kindly. "I hope you slept well."</p>
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<p>Luna smiled at her sweetly. "I always do," she replied. "I like to dream, you see.
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I never tire of dreams."</p>
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<p>"I suppose," Hermione said uneasily.</p>
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<p>"Was I in them?" Harry asked, smirking slightly.</p>
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<p>"You were," Luna admitted. "But in my dream, you were a golden snake swimming in a
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sea of green."</p>
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<p>Harry grimaced. "How would you know that snake was me?"</p>
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<p>Luna giggled. "It was a dream," she replied. "I just knew, of course."</p>
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<p>At that moment, the owl post arrived and Harry retreated out of the conversation
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to look up at the parliament of owls now soaring through the halls as they dropped
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letters and packages.</p>
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<p>A particularly large, white owl swooped down gracefully and landed in front of
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Harry; extending its foot. It looked up with large blue eyes and waited patiently.
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Harry inhaled sharply and removed the letter.</p>
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<p>"You flew a long way, didn't you?" Luna asked the owl kindly. "Would you like some
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bacon, Mr owl? Or would you prefer a sausage?"</p>
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<p>Relieved of its burden, the owl hopped over to Luna to accept her offering before
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hooting in thanks and flying off again. Harry glanced at the high table where Snape
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was watching him intently and opened the letter.</p>
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<p class='c1'><em>For the eyes of apprentice Harry Potter</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>Mr Potter,</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>We have read both your theorem and the accompanying paper with much
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|
interest and curiosity. The foundation for the Umbral Locum is sound and its effects
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could one day be implemented by mind healers as you suggested.</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>At this time, however, we feel that the creation of this potion has
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|
been somewhat rash and it hasn't been tested properly. Two test subjects – one of
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those being yourself – is not enough to stave a scientific breakthrough.</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>And while you have invented a few other potions as well, we would
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like to see what you're able to come up with in the future before we fully accept you
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into our ranks.</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em>If you are serious about your desire to become a Potions Master, I
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expect you to not allow this first refusal to shake the foundation of your goals.
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Persevere, Mr Potter and perhaps one day you will stand among us as our
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equal.</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><em><strong>Master Caratacus Lovegood.</strong></em></p>
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<p>Harry sighed in resignation. He folded the piece of parchment and put it in his
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pocket.</p>
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<p>"Bad news?" Hermione asked.</p>
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<p>"As Snape expected," Harry sighed. "They won't accept my contribution."</p>
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<p>"There's only one thing you can do, I suppose," Luna said as she grabbed his
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hand.</p>
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<p>"Oh yeah?" Harry asked. "What is that?"</p>
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<p>"Try again, of course."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>What did you all think? Don't neglect to send me a review now! Please, as a
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Christmas gift?</em><br/>
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<em>On that note, Merry Christmas to you all!</em></p>
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