The first potion lesson
* H *
Severus had approved of his choice. And had showed him how to make them fit. A transfiguration spell which could make clothing smaller or larger for several hours depending on how stable the wand movement, spell word and power used was. Transfiguring the same item more often would prolong the time as well. The material was also a factor, wixen clothing was apparently easier to bespell (Ares had mentioned that, too) then muggle clothing, because magic worked better with natural materials. Or what wixen considered Natural materials. After all, Harry would’ve never considered dragon hide to be natural, before Ares went cloth shopping and Thestral hide wasn’t commonly worn the way Ares and he did.
Then, something truly magical happened. Severus allowed him, Harry, to use his wand. It felt fascinating, Ares would have properly known a lot by touching this wand, but even Harry could feel something. He felt the inner strength the wand must possess, his bravery. He felt the loyalty the wand had to Severus. And he felt the acceptance of him, to use it. There was still caution, but he was accepted.
Harry didn’t manage it on the first try, still to overwhelmed to be trusted with something so personal. He didn’t manage on the second try. He did put more focus into it. Trying to visualize the size in his mind, like Severus had told him. He was still worried about failing again and being punished, or worse thrown out.
But once he managed to calm down, relax and focus. Harry felt his magic flowing through the wand and into the glove before him and knew that he had managed it.
Severus thought so too. He had said he had done well. And then he had put the other glove in front of him and said, to try again. He did tell him, that he had as many tries as he would need. A reminder, that even though Harry had managed the spell, he was not expected to make it perfectly again. And Harry did indeed need more than one try, more than two, well, maybe he needed several tries. But in the end, he managed, and Severus praised him again.
And then he told him, that because Harry had done so well (even though he hadn’t managed the first time, his mind added), that he was allowed to help Severus in the potion laboratory.
And that’s where they were now. Working side by side in the laboratory to make a salve which would help with infections, for when Harry would get one. Severus had said ‘if’ and ‘in case’, but Harry knew it was only a question of time. But this time, he was prepared, because they prepared a salve, that if kept closed would hold for up to six years. They would fill it in several test tubes, so that Harry only ever had about two doses, to take with at least 3h interval and never more than two doses per day. An infection should heal with one dose, but it was better to have some extra in case the wound was large.
So, Severus showed Harry how to measure fluids, he was tasked to measure the ones still left according to the recipe.
Severus had checked up on the base already in the cauldron and had started to slice some flower buds. Then he had checked the measures of him and began brewing. Harry was given a knife and berries, which he needed to crunch. Every single one. Thankfully Harry had lots of experience with knifes and monotone work. Dudley would have already given in, calming boredom, but Harry liked the monotony. It was safe. So, he crunched the berries, the way Severus had done the first. Carefully not to lose any juice or having berries roll outside the cutting board.
Severus had emphasized, Harry needed to be careful, because the berries were poisonous. So, Harry was extra careful. Not because he feared ending up poisoned. It wouldn’t be the first time. But because Severus had emphasized on his wellbeing. Him being poisoned. He had said he had anti-poison, and he had said, that he rather Harry messing up the berries than him ending up injured. Severus cared. He had cared about Harry getting the best possible potions and he cared about Harry not ending up poisoned or injured. Harry never had an adult who truly cared. Sure, the teachers in school had ask about his injuries, but they never gave him any medicine or bandages for them. Mrs Filch did give him bandages, and had even shown him, how to help himself, but she was just an old woman living down the street. She only wanted to make a good impression when babysitting.
Severus cared though. It was important to him, that Harry was healthy. He had even made a full health scan on Harry to make sure he wouldn’t oversee any injuries Harry might have, but didn’t know could be treated and therefore wouldn’t talk about, as well as any injuries Harry might get at his ‘living place’, which Severus could make potions and salves for to aid the healing process.
Harry knew there was a smile on his face. It was only small, of course, but he couldn’t help it. Someone cared.