"Damnable nasty thing," grumbled the Potions Master. "And you're saying this was Albus Dumbledore?"
"It definitely points to it," she nodded, as she ladled the potion.
"Well, I'll be keeping the research notes and how the solution was developed with hospital records," he huffed. "It's a variant of the potion he used on Persephone Pomfrey."
"I figured as much," she replied. "It was your development of that potion that led me to the base for developing this counter-agent."
"And this worked on a werewolf?" he asked.
"Yep," she replied.
"Good to know," he muttered.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When the two teens returned from their visit to the cinema, walking hand in hand, they were both laughing and generally having a good time.
Monica, first to see them, asked, "Good movie?"
"Funny," grinned Harry. "I really felt for the main character. He was locked into a contract he had no idea he was being entered into, just like me. However, his is for life, while mine is just for eight months. It kinda put things in perspective."
Monica smiled back and said, "At least you took something from it, then."
Harry gave a nod and then clapped and rubbed his hands together enthusiastically, "Anyway; time to think about what to cook for dinner."
As he spun away, he gave Hermione a quick peck on the cheek, said "Thanks for both the idea and the company, 'Mione." And quickly left, heading for the kitchen.
He didn't notice Hermione suddenly blush pink and look away, her father roll his eyes or Monica smirk at his back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The four were just sitting down to breakfast the next morning when Harry felt the alert of the floo and saw one of the aurors jog out the back towards the Doghouse.
Harry, closest to the window as usual, rose in his seat enough to look out.
As soon as he saw who stepped out ahead of the auror from the ex-shed, he smiled and called, "Dobby. One more for breakfast, please."
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir," Dobby called back.
"Who is it, Harry?" asked Wendell.
As he was sitting back down, Harry smiled back and said, "Neville's just turned up."
Less than a minute later, the boy walked in through the door closest to the stairs that led down to the lower ground floor. "Good morning!" he greeted them all with a smile.
It took less than a moment for both Harry and Hermione to see the boy now moved with an almost assured confidence. He was also dressed wizarding casual, but of decent quality.
"Good morning, Neville," said Hermione. "Take a seat, if you would. Still hungry?"
Sitting on the chair at the end of one side of the table, he smiled back and replied, "According to my Mum, I'm always hungry."
Immediately a plate appeared before him with poached eggs and grilled bacon on toast. A cup of tea appeared near his right hand, but further back.
Monica gave a snort and quietly said, "Typical teenage boy, then."
Neville just grinned, gave a shrug and picked up his cutlery.
Hermione asked, "Everything settling down at the Hall?"
With his mouth already full, Neville just nodded back.
A little while later he suddenly perked up, swallowed what was in his mouth at the time and said, "Oh! I meant to tell you when you came over to go broom riding. That sweet drink and the popcorn I ate when I was over here last time?"
When Harry smirked and nodded, he continued, "It caused me to fall asleep right after dinner. Is that what you meant by 'sugar crash'?"
Harry laughed and replied, "Yup. I hope your parents weren't too upset about that."
He grinned and replied, "Nope. They thought it was hilarious."
Hermione then had to explain to her parents what happened. They, too, thought it was funny.
Once breakfast was complete and the Daily Prophet read, it was time for the three teens to head down to the Doghouse to floo to Bones Manor. It was 8.57am.
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