In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 53: Potions and Plans
—–Nev’s POV—-
The Wiggenweld Potion – the most common and decently powerful enough healing potion uses the blood of a Salamander and following the same idea, I compared it with the Dragon’s blood.
Fire Dwelling Salamander are way cheaper to raise than a dragon and their blood can be extracted easily but while they do have strong healing abilities, it is mainly for the physical injuries. To heal injuries caused by hexes, jinxes and dark magic, Dragon blood is far more effective.
So, Salamander alone is not enough. Thinking more and checking the books I had bought on potions, I kept making notes and writing possible ingredients lists.
All in all, nothing clicks apart from Dragons. Wait!
“Winny?!” I shouted excitedly.
“Yes, Master?” Winny came on the call, and I wrote a few ingredients on a list and gave it to her.
“Find me the prices of these dragons’ parts. Will you?” I sent her to the Diagon alley to confirm my suspicion.
I am thinking about Dragon meat or Dragon Liver. Yes, a dragon liver was the liver taken from a dragon. They cost sixteen Sickles an ounce. Only 16 Sickles. One might ask, why is it so cheap? Well, do you know the size of a grown dragon liver? It weighs more than 40 pounds for a young dragon and more than 100 pounds (depending upon the size and species) for an old dragon.
So, one liver of an old dragon can provide the supply of whole potions guild for more than 1 year. After all, an ounce of it is more than enough to brew more than dozens of potion vials.
Dragon meat is even cheaper. I believe fresh dragon meat mixed with the blood of a Salamander must have the same properties as the dragon blood and I can simply create a more perfect version of the healing potion.
Mine will work against the Physical as well as the Magical Injury. Best for Jinxes and Hexes. It’s not only a potion but also a weapon against dark magical items.
Thinking about my future potion income, I was feeling fairly excited. I needed money to expand the influence of House Longbottom in the business circle and the wizarding world. Thankfully, my biggest money drainer, Aqua Benedicta is finally ready.
I was immersed in my thoughts when a strange knocking sound on my windows distracted me. I find a tired owl bringing me a letter from Madam Bones. Feeling pity for the poor owl, I just gave it to Dufus.
Wizards can apparate and use the Floo network but nope, they can’t send a letter in a better way.
Opening the letter I find a portkey to one of the safe locations Madam Bones had chosen for the mission and a very short apology for the delay on her side.
After all, getting permission to keep an Animagus hidden from the registry and fulfilling other parts of the deal as Ms. Skeeter had requested took a lot of her time and connections.
“Sunday…it seems…I can at least find another Horcrux four days later.” Muttering to myself I burnt the letter and checked the small Auror badge (the portkey).
I get busy writing one letter to her thanking her for her trust and then another one informing Ms. Skeeter about the plans and sending both the Portkeys to her. I already kept my portkey and was only waiting for the one from Madam Bones. Thankfully this second Horcrux was not going to run anywhere.
Releasing a sigh, I decided it was enough adventure for a day and I should meet with our new guest.
————–
Pansy was sitting with Hermione in the library. Yes, the new favourite spot of Pansy.
“So, you are saying you kept all your notes separate and wrote them twice to make sure you remember them. Correct?”
Pany after listening to Hermione’s studying habits asked a few questions to make sure she heard it right.
“Yup. I get very scared during exam times, and I must make sure my notes are perfect. What if I lose one set? So, the other set is the backup.” Hermione answered honestly.
“Understood. But then do you seriously remember the page numbers that you have written at so many places?”
“Of course! Otherwise, how will I recheck the information again?” Hermione was feeling slightly irritated over this stupid questioning while Pansy was questioning her worldview. Who the hell writes two sets of notes and includes page numbers and Homework details for reference? Are these even notes or simply brief versions of books?
“Very well. I never knew you were so smart, Hermione. You know I was thinking of an idea on how to help newcomers that come every year to Hogwarts, and I think If we sell them these notes, that will truly help them. Won’t it?” Pansy tried to use some good words to hide the money part of her idea.
She wants to sell these ready-made perfect notes, but she must be the one who gets the larger income.
“Oh! What a nice idea!” Hermione was truly surprised by Pansy’s ideas. A Slytherin trying to help kids of all houses! Pansy was so much different now than in school.
“Here. Please sign this.” Pansy presented a magical contract she had already purchased with the help of Dufus from Goblins in the bank.
It was a very strict contract giving Pansy full authority over the use of the income generated over the ‘items’ provided by Hermione. Well, this bookworm must have more things than simple notes. She can take her potion ideas, charm ideas and other things she keeps writing. After all, for Pansy why waste so many good things? Make more money. Sell everything.
Hermione who never had such a good friend was also feeling happy. Pansy had changed. No snide comments, no teasing and seriously no foul mouthing about her origins.
Also, the secrets about Neville and a few incidents bought her closer to Pansy. Without reading the fine print (that was written on the back page) she signed the contract in good faith. Poor girl gave away all her money earned by selling ‘items’ from her first year without even realising the true scope of the items.
First-year items meant books, the dress, even the shoes apart from notes. Pansy also didn’t realise it yet but when one asks a Goblin to cheat a client, Goblins show their true abilities.
With Hermione’s notes, Pansy felt she could finally cast away the days of poverty and started chatting about other ‘helpful’ items that can be sold or given to first-year students.
In the end, Pansy managed to convince Hermione to help her in writing three short books. My first impression of Magic World. My first impression of Hogwarts. Wizarding world for Muggle parents.
Pansy had enough geographical and political knowledge of the Wizarding world and she herself could write all three books but when you have a bookworm near you, you can get free advice, free support, and free content checking. Besides, with Hermione, she can be sure what muggle kids and parents will like in advance.
Every time Pansy will look at Hermione, she would imagine Hermione made of golden galleons. Shining with golden light. Hermione never found someone so interested in reading and writing plus the idea of helping Muggle students truly resonated with her.
Using the magical quills that could write as they speak, Pansy and Hermione started their book writing projects.
Neville came searching for them and found the oddest sight of two frenemies drinking hot cocoa, eating chocolate cookies and writing an essay or something. Together!
“What is the name of Merlin titties is going on with these two?”
Neville felt it was best not to disturb these two new friends and walked out of the library silently.
Women, no one can understand.