The night after the Transfiguration examination, Edmund slept fitfully. His dreams were filled with needles and pincushions, with rats becoming teacups and teacups becoming rats. When he woke, the green light of the lake was already filtering through the windows. He lay still for a moment, listening to the soft breathing of his friends in the dormitory. Then he rose, dressed, and walked to the Great Hall.
Today was Potions.
Potions was his strength. The Prince family had been potioneers for generations. He had inherited their gift, honed it through years of study and practice. But the N.E.W.T. examination would not be kind. It would test not just his ability to follow instructions, but his understanding of the art itself.
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The Great Hall was already crowded when he arrived. Students from all three schools sat at their assigned desks, their faces pale, their quills ready. Edmund found his seat—number 147—and set down his supplies. The examiners filed in, their robes formal, their expressions unreadable. The lead examiner, a witch with iron-grey hair and a face like carved stone, rose from her desk.
"Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests," she said. "Subject: Potions. Theory paper. You have two hours. Begin."
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The parchment was warm as Edmund touched it. He read the first question, then the second, then the third. They were demanding, but he had prepared.
*Question 1: Describe the chemical and magical properties of moonstone, including its use in the Draught of Living Death and the Elixir of Euphoria.*
Edmund wrote about the crystalline structure of moonstone, its affinity for lunar magic, and its role as a stabilizer in complex potions. He explained that moonstone absorbed magical energy during the full moon and released it slowly, making it ideal for potions that required sustained effects. He cited the research of Arsenius Jigger, who had first documented the properties of moonstone in the 18th century.
*Question 2: Explain the difference between an antidote and a counter-potion, with examples of each.*
He wrote that an antidote neutralized a specific poison, while a counter-potion reversed the effects of a potion. He gave examples: the Antidote to Common Poisons for the former, and the Wiggenweld Potion for the latter. He discussed the importance of timing and dosage, noting that a counter-potion administered too late could be ineffective.
*Question 3: A wizard has been cursed with a slow-acting venom that attacks the magical core. Discuss the potential for using the Universal Antidote to treat the condition, including the limitations of the formula.*
Edmund wrote about the Universal Antidote, a legendary potion that could counteract any poison. He noted that the formula required rare ingredients, including a drop of blood from the poisoned individual. He discussed the dangers of brewing it incorrectly, including the risk of magical explosion. He concluded that while the Universal Antidote could theoretically cure the venom, it was not a practical solution for most cases.
*Question 4: Describe the process of brewing Polyjuice Potion, including the required ingredients, stirring patterns, and brewing time.*
This was a N.E.W.T.-level question. Edmund wrote about the complex process of brewing Polyjuice—the exact number of stirs, the specific temperatures, the need to add the lacewing flies only after they had been stewed for twenty-one days. He noted that the potion took a full month to brew and that even a single mistake could render it useless or, worse, cause a permanent transformation.
*Question 5: A witch wishes to brew a potion that will allow her to speak to snakes without being a Parselmouth. Discuss the options available, including the limitations of each.*
Edmund wrote about the limited options for acquiring Parseltongue through potions. He discussed the theoretical Snake-Tongue Elixir, a potion mentioned in old texts that was said to grant temporary understanding of serpent speech. He noted that the recipe had been lost for centuries and that modern attempts to recreate it had resulted in severe side effects, including permanent hoarseness and magical damage to the vocal cords. He concluded that no reliable potion existed for this purpose.
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The two hours passed. Edmund wrote until his hand cramped, filling every page, leaving nothing blank. When the proctor called "Time," he set down his quill and stretched his fingers.
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The practical examination for Potions was in the afternoon. Edmund ate a quick lunch, his stomach tight, his mind already racing. His friends sat with him, offering quiet words of encouragement.
"Potions is your best subject," Cassius said. "You've been brewing since first year."
Arthur nodded. "Burke said you had the gift."
Horace handed him a vial of peppermint tonic. Edmund drank it.
Astrid touched his hand. "You know this," she said.
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The practical examination was held in the Potions dungeons, where Professor Burke had taught them for seven years. The room was cool, damp, and smelled of herbs and old stone. A panel of three examiners sat at a table near the door—two witches and one wizard, all strangers, all expressionless. Edmund stood at his assigned cauldron, his ingredients laid out before him.
"Mr. Prince," the lead examiner said, consulting her notes. "You will brew the following potions. You have three hours. Begin."
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**Potion One: *Draught of Living Death* – Advanced Variation**
The standard Draught of Living Death was a sixth-year potion, but the N.E.W.T. examination required an advanced variation that used powdered root of asphodel instead of the standard infusion. Edmund had brewed this in the Room of Requirement, had practiced until his hands ached.
He added the ingredients in the correct order—wormwood, asphodel, juice of sopophorous bean—and stirred seven times counter-clockwise, then once clockwise. The potion turned from pale lilac to deep purple to clear silver. The bubbles rose in the steady rhythm that Professor Burke had demonstrated in first year.
The examiner examined his cauldron. "Acceptable."
**Potion Two: *Antidote to Uncommon Poisons* – Custom Formulation**
The examiners provided him with a sample of an unknown poison. He had to identify its properties and brew a custom antidote. The poison was pale green, smelled of almonds, and had a slightly oily consistency. Edmund dipped a glass rod into the liquid and held it to the light.
"Vegetable-based poison," he said. "Derived from the berries of the Spotted Hemlock. Attacks the respiratory system."
He gathered the ingredients—bezoar, powdered silver, essence of dittany, and a specific mushroom extract—and began to brew. The antidote took forty-five minutes. When it was finished, he added a drop of the original poison to test it. The mixture turned clear.
The examiner nodded. "Sufficient."
**Potion Three: *Shrinking Solution* – Advanced Human-Grade**
The Shrinking Solution was a standard potion, but the N.E.W.T. version required the brewer to create a solution capable of shrinking a human being to half their size. This was far more complex than the version used on objects.
Edmund worked carefully, adding the ingredients in the correct order—daisy roots, shriveled figs, sliced caterpillars—and stirring with the prescribed rhythm. The potion turned from green to yellow to a deep, murky brown. He tested a drop on a conjured mouse. The mouse shrank to half its size, then returned to normal after a minute.
The examiner examined his cauldron. "Correct potency."
**Potion Four: *Strengthening Solution* – Maximum Concentration**
The Strengthening Solution was used to enhance physical and magical endurance. The N.E.W.T. examination required a batch of maximum concentration, three times stronger than the standard.
Edmund added the ingredients—salamander blood, powdered griffin claw, essence of courage—and stirred exactly twelve times clockwise, then four times counter-clockwise. The potion turned from pale blue to a deep, shimmering gold. He decanted a sample and tested it on a conjured rat. The rat's movements became faster, stronger, more energetic.
The examiner sniffed the potion. "Acceptable."
**Potion Five: *Wiggenweld Potion* – Mass Production**
The Wiggenweld Potion was a healing draught that could cure minor injuries and counteract certain poisons. The examiners required a batch large enough to treat five patients simultaneously.
Edmund worked quickly, scaling up the recipe while maintaining the correct proportions. The potion took an hour to brew. When it was finished, he decanted it into five separate vials. The liquid was a pale green, the consistency smooth, the scent faintly floral.
The examiner examined each vial. "Satisfactory."
**Potion Six: *Elixir of Euphoria* – Perfect Balance**
The Elixir of Euphoria induced a feeling of happiness and well-being. The challenge was achieving the perfect balance—too weak, and the effect was negligible; too strong, and the patient could become dangerously euphoric, losing all sense of danger.
Edmund added the ingredients—moonstone, peppermint, stewed mandrake root—and stirred with the prescribed rhythm. The potion turned from clear to pale silver to a soft, shimmering gold. He tested a drop on a conjured mouse. The mouse became noticeably more active, but not frantic.
The examiner held the vial to the light. "Correct balance."
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The three hours passed. Edmund set down his wand and stepped back from his cauldron. His hands were stained with ink and potion residue. His head ached from the concentration. But he had done everything they had asked.
"That will do, Mr. Prince," the lead examiner said. "You may go."
Edmund bowed and walked out of the dungeons.
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He walked back to the common room, the afternoon sun warm on his face. His friends were waiting.
"How did it go?" Cassius asked.
"I don't know," Edmund said. "We'll find out."
"You probably got Outstanding," Arthur said.
"Probably not."
"Probably yes."
Edmund sat down beside them, and for a moment, he let himself rest. Tomorrow was Defence Against the Dark Arts. He would need his strength.
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