Later that day, there was a commotion at the entrance. A group of 3 Aurors had Gilderoy Lockhart in magic-suppressing manacles. His robes were rumbled and buttoned wrong. His hair was dull and unkempt, and his teeth were yellow. Evidently, he had used many glamor charms to look handsome.
Snape was watching them go by, with glittering eyes and a smile on his lips. Evidently, Lockhart was caught having sex with a newly 2nd maturation witch, barely 14 years old. While not illegal in the world if betrothed, for a professor with an unbetrothed witch, unforgivable. The school was in uproar. The students had been assured, the school wards kept 3rd maturation, unable to have sex with 2nd maturation. In short, this should have been impossible. This was not a good way for Dumbledore to end the year.
That evening, Harry said to Hermione, "Let's have a competition. We'll go to the lab and make a triple batch of the modified bruise balm. We will see who makes the better balm. Try to use everything we have learned to alter the balm and improve it."
Hermione replied with a frown, "This is a bit unfair. I currently need the balm, you don't."
Harry nodded to the truth of it, "How do you wish to fix the problem, and make it fair?"
Hermione said with a smirk, "I don't. I just want you aware of the situation, so when my balm is better your defeat will be complete."
Gred and Forge jumped in front of them. "What's this I hear, a competition to make the best balm?" George saw Cedric, and yelled "HEY CEDRIC! We are competing to make the best balm tonight!"
Cedric came over and they all headed to the school, "Cool! I wanted to see how things have progressed. I have only recently been allowed in the advanced lab. Who judges?"
As they were getting to the lab, Harry suggested "How about the three of you judge Hermione and me, and we judge you."
Elanor, saw the whole group approaching "I thought we were skipping combat tonight. What's up?"
Fred replied excitedly, "Harry challenged Hermione to bruise balm competition, and we decided to join in."
As they were entering through the iron door, Elanor said, "Excellent idea. Since Instructor Black has volunteered his class time for this competition. I need to teach the juniors how to judge balm anyway, as they will hopefully be intermediate potioners over the new apprentices next year."
Everyone hug up their robes and put on their potion aprons. Elanor then instructed, "I'm not going to watch. I will return in exactly 2 hours, and we will judge. Begin." and she walked out.
Harry had been thinking about how to do this. He already knew how to modify the needed essences with four of the ingredients but knew he could do more. He decided to spend 20 minutes on the astrological and arithmantic equations to modify heat, stirring patterns, brewing times, and magic infusion. Once Harry completed his calculations, he started brewing. He noticed Hermione had started immediately worrying about time. Harry thought that was a mistake, but she may be quick enough to do it in her head. One hour in, and Master Snape showed up.
Everybody started to freeze when he called out, "Continue. I was going to do this tomorrow, but Harry preempted me, using his class time. We will just do another recipe tomorrow. Let's see what each of you have learned this year."
About 30 minutes before the end and Hermione was completed. She saw Harry was going to be close, but knew not to interfere. 7 minutes before the end Harry scooped out his ointment. The other three finished at about the same time as Harry.
Elanor returned and saw Master Snape in the room. He saw her enter and balk at his presence. He then said "You're senior next year, continue."
Elanor then firmed up and looked at the clock. "Time! Present your ointments for judging. Let's start with the intermediate as I want the younger to learn how to judge for next year. You will be responsible for your juniors as we are for you."
Elanor then placed the three on Master Snapes desk. Hermione let out a giggle. Elanor turned to Hermione with a frown, "What is so funny, Apprentice Granger?"
Hermione with a smile and a light laugh, "It's just...I was sure this desk is only used for caning…and sex."
Everybody grinned and there are a few aborted laugh/coughs as Master Snape dryly replied, "Just because that is all you use it for miss Granger, doesn't mean others don't find more appropriate uses for my desk. Continue."
"OK Apprentice horny bint, let's hear you judge them. Do your best and we will point out what you missed."
Hermione picked up each, then smelled them, then touched each and rubbed it between her fingers. "They are all medical-grade balm, and pass. B has a slightly better color and texture, A has a better smell, but C is the best product. I would judge C than B than A. Just leaving it to my magic, C merges with my magic most completely, then B than A."
Elanor asked Harry to judge. He looked, smelled, and touched too. "All are medical-grade and pass. I agree with Hermione. Letting my magic feel them, it is C half better than B which is a third better than A."
"I'm impressed. You both realized you only use your senses to verify it is a working product. Then you use your magic to feel the quality or power of the balm. Hermione you were correct. Harry, I judge your percentages quite close. C was 60% better B and B was 30% better than A. Well done."
She then placed the two they made on the table. "Judge again. Hermione first."
Hermione examined both products and said with disappointment, "Both are medical-grade balm. A is better than B maybe twice as good."
Elanor motioned to Harry, "Both are medical-grade balm. A is 90% better than B. A is as good as A from previous group."
Fred exclaimed, "No way!"
Elanor smirked and grabbed A from the previous group, mixed them up and has the intermediate come and grade. All three grade them and come to the conclusion that the two are both 90% better than B. The two A's are similar in potency.
Snape came over, "This A is 5% better than this one. Essentially correct."
Turning to Harry, Master Snape asked, "Explain how you became an Intermediate apprentice."
There was a gasp in the room from George, and a quiet 'Yes!' from Cedric.
Harry grinned, "I knew this potion took 90 minutes. We certainly learned that the hard way this year. Yet Elanor gave us 2 hours. I realized she intended us to plan. I then spent 20 minutes doing the arithmetic and astrologic calculations to change stirring patterns, heat temperature, brewing time, and magic infusion. That with the 4 modified ingredient essence collection techniques, allowed me to make an adequate balm."
Turning to Hermione, Master Snape asked, "And why are you still a junior apprentice?"
Hermione with downcast eyes, answered, "I didn't realize we were given adequate time to plan. When I realized we had a time limit, I went with the essentially unchanged recipe, though I did use the modified essence collection techniques on the 4 ingredients."
Snape with evident disappointment, "Yes, you let your emotions get in your way and became afraid of the time limit. If you hadn't used the 4 ingredient changes, I would have caned you as you would have told me you learned nothing this year. However, you did use those changes. I expect to see you do much better tomorrow."
Turning back to Harry, "Congratulations, intermediate apprentice. You are the youngest…ever." And everybody cheered and clapped for Harry.
Hermione came over and with a sad smile congratulated him, "You beat me Harry, fair and square. I always knew you were a great wizard."
Harry hugged Hermine, "You are great too. I fully expect you to do the proper calculations tomorrow. Don't make me spank you, apprentice horny bint" And Hermione laughed while all the other apprentices laughed with her. She then groaned at the nick name while hugging Harry.
Snape with a smile then turned to Harry, "I have been talking to the DADA examiners. It seems my apprentices stand out from the other students, getting Os or Os with distinction on both OWLS and NEWTS. You should thank your fellow apprentice for tutoring you. We will see if we get a capable DADA professor next year, but if not, maybe you can convince him to continue teaching. Again congratulations."
Snape turned to Harry and Hermione. "The preliminary tests indicate it is safe for oral now. I will pass on further results via Master Tonks." And Snape left.
Fred said to Hermione, "Quick, apprentice horny bint, promise to suck him off if he teaches." Cedric smacked Fred in the head.
Hermione shook her head no and said with conviction, "I suck him off so he eats my pussy. No deal. Oh, I will tolerate that name here, but if I hear it past the iron door…" she said with real menace.
Everybody laughed at the surprised look on Fred's face. It was obvious, she was not kidding.
After everyone else left, Harry smiled, "So Apprentice Horny Bint, am I feasting on you on our Sex table, or are we going somewhere?"
Hermione shook her head no again. Merlin, she hoped this nick-name didn't stick, but with the twins it wasn't a safe bet. Morgana's burning bush, that quote had been on the back of her robes, all day. I should have paid attention to the snickering more. Hermione hung up her apron, removed her skirt and panties, "Why mess with a good thing, show me how good your balm is, my Lord." And she jumped up on the table and kneeled on it with her legs spread almost completely and arching her back, offering her core to Harry.
Harry got hard just looking at her, damn his witch was HOT! He grinned with an idea, and moved a chair behind Hermione and sat down. This placed his mouth almost level with her pussy. He gave her a lick from clit to anus, and circles the rosebud making Hermione squeak and groan. He then got out his balm and spread in on her bottom. Hermione just groaned in pleasure. "Morgana's saggy tits, that is soooo good!"
Harry rubbed the balm in until her bottom and thighs are unblemished. He pulled down on her vest trying to get her chest closer to the table arching her pelvis more. He wanted her pussy directly in his face. Harry started sucking and nibling on her, starting with her thighs and slowly moving inward. When she moved, he quickly SMACK! spanked her bottom. "Hold still witch!" he exclaimed. He kept this up edging her to a climax until she whimpered "Please Harry, I need to cum!"
This time when she started to involuntarily thrust her pelvis, Harry slowly penetrated her with a finger. "Oh Oh OOOOH Harry. Slowly please!" SMACK! "Quiet witch!" and Harry added a second finger.
"Oh, Merlin that stings." And Harry slowed. "No! Don't Stop, Please more!"
Harry started pistoning his two fingers, and then licking around her clit. As Hermione started whining and tensing up, Harry curled his fingers and rubbed her G-spot. Hermione them came with a scream "HARRY!" As she came, Harry planted his lips around her pussy and sucked drinking her nectar. It's absolutely delicious, but made him very hard.
Once finished feasting on Hermione, Harry quickly lifted her off the desk and sat her in the chair he just vacated. Harry had divested himself of his clothes pushing then down to his ankles. With his penis now jutting toward her face, Harry said in a hungry and demanding voice, "Suck me. NOW!" Hermione just grabbed him, and licked, sucked, and nibbled until she eventually deepthroat him. Harry soon came with a roar. "MINE!" She also swallowed down his wonderful essence.
After they both calmed down, they pulled chairs together and were soon hugging and cuddling. They were just enjoying the feel of skin on skin. They then spent time talking of inconsequential things, just enjoying being together. After a time, they returned to their dorms, happy.
Once back at the dorms, Harry told Hermione to prepare her equations for the time of brewing tomorrow. Get a jump on things, it's just smart. They then studied until it was time for bed, kissed and went their separate ways.
The next morning at breakfast, the rankings came out for the non-tested years. The second year ranks were: 1) Draco Malfoy 2) Daphne Greengrass 3) Neville Longbottom 4) Susan Bones 5) Padma Patil 6) Hanna Abbot. Everyone was confused wondering how Harry and Hermione could have fallen off so precipitously, until Draco said, "Look at the 3rd year ranks." Sure enough. 1) Hermione Granger 2) Hadrian Potter. Draco shook his head, "Harry, I know some third years who are not going to be happy about this."
Harry obviously didn't care. He said, "Tough, if they wish to meet me on the piste, they only have to ask. You can tell them we intend to be 5th years next year and take our OWLS. We aren't competing with them." All the friends, and study partners were congratulating each other. Even more than last year, Snape and Sprout were grinning about the ranking, and Flitwick and McGonigal were pretending to take it with good grace.
That afternoon, the apprentices gathered in the lab for the last potion of the year. Master Snape came in, "With Mr. Potter preempting the Aphrodite Balm for his class last night, we need to go another direction. Today you will brew the draught of peace. Begin."
Hermione was going for ingredients when Harry barked, "Merlin Hermione! Review the recipe and do calculations first!" She paused, and nodded sitting back down and pulling out her books. Harry then concentrated on the calculations necessary to maximize this potion. Once he had them, he went over what he knew about the ingredients. There were three primary and 2 secondary ingredients. He could only think of two ingredients which he knew how to improve, and they were both secondary. However, he did know of a way to improve the syrup of belladonna. Harry thought about it and realized he should be able to do something similar in preparing the syrup of hellebore. It was worth the gamble.
Harry had prepared the syrup of hellebore using his alterations. He timed it so the syrup was ready, when he needed to add it to the main brew. As he added it, he saw the color going green. Fuck, he needed to alter the ratio of moonstone immediately. He quickly added an additional dash while inverting the stirring and forcing more of his magic into the mix. Suddenly the potion went clear with a silver vapor and stabilized. Harry exhaled, and took the potion off the burner decanting it quickly to keep it from over cooking. He was sitting there looking at the clear potion with the silvery vapor when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Snape squeezed his arm and nodded. Harry grinned.
Snape commanded, "Time's up. All potions on Apprentice Horny Bint's, sex desk!"
Hermione, whined, "Master, please." While there was some quiet laughter.
Harry grinned at Hermione, and placed his potion on the desk. He was proud. All the potions were placed on the desk. Harry looking at them thought his looked among the best. Master Snape went down the list and started evaluating them. When he got to Harry's, he looked at it. Paused and pushed his magic into it wondering what was grabbing his attention. Oh No, he didn't.
Professor Snape pulled Harry's out and placed it to the side. He then went down the line complimenting and gently chiding as he went. When he came to Hermione, "Good, you actually used the astrological principles for the first time. Your potion is acceptable and you advance to next year."
Snape then pulled Harry's potion front and center. "Now we have a situation. Mr. Ackerley please come down here and evaluate this potion."
Mr. Ackerley analyzed the potion, "It seems high quality. Everything looks very good, especially for an beginner/intermediate apprentice." Snape just looked at him, "Look again, push your magic hard, and feel. What do you find."
Ackerley pushed hard with his magic, frowned, "Merlin! The Draught of madness! What the…how is this possible?"
"Exactly! Mr. Potter, tell us how you made this potion."
"I did all my calculations as expected, but noted I only had improved essences for two secondary and no primary ingredients. However, I realized I knew a way to improve syrup of belladonna, and being a similar compound, use that technique to improve the syrup of hellebore. Everything was going well, until I added the hellebore and the potion went green. I then added more moonstone, altered the stirring to compensate, and forced my magic until it stabilized at what you now see."
"Thoughts anyone? I want from junior to senior."
Hermione, "the chemical structure is too different, I don't think the hellebore purification accomplished what Harry supposed. I have no idea what happened beyond that."
No one had any idea until back to Ackerley, "Harry was unaware of the proper way to purify hellebore. If he knew, he would have used a neutralizing buffer in the purification, without it, the poisonous nature of the compound is exponentially increased. He then compensated for that with more moonstone. However, using moonstone to neutralize the poison then ignited its secondary aspect, madness. Ergo, a disguised Draught of madness, not draught of peace."
There were gasps across the room, and Elanor said, "Morgana! I had no idea!"
Harry was standing there white-faced, "I thought it was such a good idea. I figured if it failed it would be obvious. Instead, I made something which would have killed innocents."
"Harry, your brilliance is going to be astounding. You earned your intermediate rank yesterday. And today, you showed just how unbelievably dangerous an innovative intermediate apprentice can be. You are correct, by essentially following the recipe, it should have just failed, but your innovations, and powerful magic altered the equation and invented a new recipe for a potion. Unfortunately, this potion is a perfect poison. The draught of peace treats madness, and yours, appearing exactly the same, causes it. What did you learn today?"
Harry thought, paused then thought some more. Snape just waited. Finally, Harry said, "I learned I don't know enough. I need to learn more, experiment more, understand more…but all under the guidance of a master until I know and understand enough to experiment safely on my own."
And Snape slapped his hand on the desk, "EXACTLY! A child would say don't experiment for fear of failure, but that doesn't allow growth. You need to experiment more, try more, but understand much more. And you are correct, you are dangerous. A lesser experienced master would have missed the error and a drought of madness would be out there destroying lives. Does this mean you should stop? NO! It means you need to stay with me until you are ready to fly. I can only imagine the potions you will invent once you fully understand your craft."
Hermione looked very confused. She finally asked, "I don't understand master. He made a horrible mistake, and you are praising him for it?"
Snape looked at Hermione, realizing she still valued rules too much. "Yes, he made a mistake, but it was an innovative and brilliant mistake. One learns little from success, much from failure. But only if you understand why and how you failed. Hermione you are going to be a skilled potioner, meticulous and exacting, but Harry is going to be innovative. Since you have cleaved yourself to him, it is fitting that you learn how to evaluate perfectly. You will need to catch these errors, and interpret them properly, so the two of you, can make successful innovations, not disastrous ones. The most successful innovators in the potioning world have a highly skilled partner who keeps them grounded and translates their discoveries to useful recipes. I fully expect the two of you, and the Weasley twins here to become top potioning duos."
Cedric just shook his head, "Two of them I will have to senior two of them."
Harry confused about what Cedric was saying, "I'm sorry? What are you talking about."
Cedric still shaking his head moaned, "It is bad enough with the twins. You may not have known it, but George here, has pulled crazy innovative shit, just like you did today. Fortunately, his brother stabilizes and compensates for his madness. Now I have you doing the same with Hermione, hopefully, she can keep you from blowing up the castle. Two of them! Oh Merlin!"
George came over to Harry and raised his fist, to which Harry gave a fist bump and grinned. They looked terrifying grinning at each other.
Hermione went over to Fred, "Fred if we don't keep those two apart, they will blow up the castle!"
Fred answered her with a manic smile, "Likely, but oh so glorious!" Hermione just groaned along with Cedric.
Hermione getting serious, "Fred, how do you deal with a twin who is so innovative? Harry is already competing with the intermediate potioners. I feel inadequate."
Fred frowned at Hermione, "Hermione, yesterday I had a beginner apprentice make a potion better than me. Trust me, I know what feeling inadequate is like. I also know that competing with their madness is pointless. Instead, I am studying hard to keep up, so I can convert their madness to useful recipes and principles the sane potioners of the world can use. It is important and useful work. Otherwise, some of their recipes can't be reproduced reliably. Think of it as converting unstable alchemy, to reliable potioning. Hard, but we are the ones who will get these innovations out into the world." Snape with a very pleased look to his face, nodded to Fred.
Snape then concluded the year, "Clean up the lab, and party in the break room. Everyone wish Mr. Ackerley well on his future endeavors. Remember, Snape Apprentices stay in touch, and help each other. Not just at the school."
It was a fun party in the break room, and went all night. George and Harry discussed many different ideas for prank potions. Hermione and Fred were alternating between impressed and horrified in measures. Come morning, Harry and Hermione went and gathered their stuff to go home, after getting their summer assignments. This time McGonigal gave then the 4th year qualifications so they could be ready to join the 5th years when they returned. They fully expected to be 5th years in Transfiguration, Charms (for Hermione), DADA, HOM, Runes, Astronomy, and Arithmancy. Not to mention 2nd year potion's apprentices. They had also added Care of Magical Creatures, so would take that with 3rd year Herbology.