Chapter 4
Warmth was the first thing Aster noticed followed quickly by something soft and squishy underneath her. It was a first in her short life that she had felt such sensations and she really liked it. She snuggled down deeper into the comforting warmth pulling silky covers up to her chin.
It wasn't long after she had gotten comfortable that a frown formed on her small brow. She had never before been this comfortable on her lumpy cot in her cupboard. It took her a few moments before the events of her morning flashed through her mind. Everything had started as usual with her aunt Tuni rapping her bony knuckles against the door of her safe haven. Her cupboard was always her safety since her uncle and cousin couldn't fit through the small door into the small room she called her own.
From there she had been commanded to watch the bacon for aunt Tuni's beloved Diddydums and to make sure the sizzling slices of meat didn't burn. After one last yell to not steal a single morsel from her families mouths her aunt had shuffled up the stairs to wake her piggy son from his sleep.
Not long after that what sounded like a small herd of elephants trudging downstairs echoed from the living room area. Then the kitchen door slammed open once more letting her half asleep cousin, aunt, and fully dressed uncle into the room.
Without prompt Aster then shuffled over to the toaster to start on the toast and to get her uncle his cup of coffee to start his day. Slowly she made her way over to the table with the hot beverage steaming in her hands. It took her some time since she was going so slow but she had made it to the table with out incident and let loose a silent breath. She still had the bruises from the last time she had spilled a small amount of her uncles coffee. She was lucky her cousin was still to tired to mess anything up for her but knew it wouldn't last long.
As soon as the breakfast was plated and placed on the table she had quickly retreated to her corner of the kitchen to wait. Her aunt hated the background sound of her doing the dishes early. She says it distracts her from her family time with her Vernon and Duddikins. Not that the family talk much when it comes to any meal since both Dursley men are to busy eating as much food as possible. Vernon because it was in front of him and Dudley because he knew that Aster got to eat what was left.
It didn't take long for the Dursley family to finish their breakfast leaving Aster a small morsel of a single slice of toast with a little bit of scrambled eggs to eat. She quickly scarfed the food down before Dudley decided to eat is as well then started to clear the table.
After she cleaned up from breakfast her aunt had then given her a list of chores almost as long as her arm to be completed before the day was over. Luckily it wasn't summer anymore so outside wouldn't be blisteringly hot. So she made her way outside to the back garden where leaves had fallen in the yard to clean them up.
Aster knew it was almost the anniversary of her parents death and the day her aunt and uncle got her. It's the one date they never let her forget since it was the day they took her in out of the kindness of their hearts. Not that she thought there was much kindness in there anyway.
A cool autumn breeze had settled into the area making it smell crisp with change as the few shade trees in the back yards leaves changed color. This had to be her favorite time of the year to do yard work since it wasn't to hot or cold out making it easier for her to do her work quickly.
Once she was done with raking and bagging up all the leaves she heard her aunt call her in to help make lunch. Aster pulled the heavy leaf filled bags over to the side of the house before rushing in to wash up.
Lunch like breakfast was a greasy affair with fish and chips and a bag of crisps poured into a bowl that was currently in Dudleys lap as he shoveled fist fulls of crisps into his mouth. Once again Aster was in her corner watching her relatives eat as much as possible while dreading the clean up.
After her relatives finished eating Dudley waddled his way out back while Aunt Petunia shuffled her way to the window to spy on the neighbors and uncle Vernon hobbled his way upstairs. Aster could only sigh in relief that her relatives hadn't taken much notice of her today. She had learned early on that it was better to be invisible in this house than not.
It wasn't long after she learned and wiped down the table that her aunt cam screeching into the kitchen about important people visiting them. It seems one of her uncles major clients from work had decided to stop by for a surprise visit and she was to remain unseen and unheard. The consequence would not be pleasant if the visitor were to get even the slightest hint that she existed.
Aster had stayed quiet until a silky, friendly black cat came purring at her just before her cruel cousin returned to the kitchen to torment her. From there she had discovered that not only was she not supposed to be with her aunt and uncle but that it was her family money that payed for everything. That she was supposed to live with her rich auntie on her fathers side and that she owned number four private drive. It had all been to much thus she had fallen asleep letting her worn out body and mind the rest it greatly needed.
The sound of purring and shuffling papers brought Aster back to the present as she slowly opened her eyes to see a stone wall. Slowly looking around she realized she was in what looked like a cave with strange floating orbs of light. There were rows of white linen covered beds each with a curtain that could be pulled around it for privacy.
Blinking her eyes free of sleep she slowly sat up and looked to her left where the noise was coming from to see the same woman from yesterday. Only she was wearing what looked like robes over a long dress with a slit in the side a similar length to the dress she had on last time she saw her. She had on strange boots that buckled all the way to her knees. The rest of her legs were covered in what looked to be hide leggings that disappeared into her boots that were a green so dark they almost looked black. Her blue grey eyes were cast down reading the papers on her hands through a pair of thin silver rimmed reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose. Her mass of midnight curls was pulled up into a high pony tail to keep the long locks out of her face with a few stray strands that escaped the tie.
Aster couldn't help but to blink in wonder as her eyes landed on the source of the purring noise. Sitting on the woman's shoulders was what looked like a tiny version of the wyvern in bright blues sitting on her shoulders. Yet that was impossible dragons and wyverns didn't exist, the book she read on them said they weren't real.
"Mistress the little hatchling is awake"
Startling Asters eyes widened as she watched the wyvern tap it's tail against her shoulder and pointing with its muzzle at her. This caused the young woman to look up and turn her unique blue grey eyes to focus on her. Before the woman could say anything Aster spoke looking right at the wyvern.
"You can talk!"
The woman's brow quirked up slightly with a small smile tilting her lips upward as the wyvern on her shoulders stilled for a moment before wiggling like crazy. Aster watched with trepidation as the small creatures hissed incoherently as it wiggled before jumping off its perch towards her with a happy exclamation.
"A speaker! By the might of my greater brothers you speak the ancient tongue!"
Completely befuddled by the suddenly exuberant creature gazing up at her in awe from her lap Aster looked to the woman for help. By this time the young woman had stacked her papers into a neat pile with her glasses folded on top of them on a side table. She sat there observing the two with a fond look in her eyes before her blue grey eyes locked with Asters own emerald green.
"It's good to see your awake. You've been sleeping for two days from a mixture of shock and malnutrition. A couple of broken bones healed incorrectly a dislocated shoulder from being roughly grabbed by that thing that calls itself a man and various bruises hidden under the whale skin you were forced to wear. To top it all off we have brittle bones, anemia and slight dehydration to add to the mix of things we're going to have to fix. Honestly whatever was going through the headmasters mind when he placed you with those heathens I will never know nor want to know."
Taking a deep breath Cordelia signed slightly a little embarrassed that she had ranted to her five year old niece. Not to mention what the goblins found residing in that blasted scar on her forehead has Cordelias gut twisting into knots. Such twisted and tainted magic used not once but multiple times to where it would happen without consent of castor was just sickening. Yet another thing to deal with but it could wait until Aster was healthy. It seems the blood magic Lily had performed that day keeps the parasite dormant but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be removed.
"Sorry sweetheart for the rant I just have a hard time grasping that one could treat family in such a way. It is a pleasure to see you again Aster I am your aunt Cordelia or if your just Aunt Cordi. The hissing fool in your lap is my familiar Aquarius he is a Madagascar Pygmy wyvern with a unique genetic quirk that causes him to be bright blue instead of the normal mottled dark blues and greens of his territory."
Aster blinked slowly as she gently ran her fingers down Aquarius's scales causing him to give a hiss of pleasure. She was scared but also excited and didn't want to ruin her chances of possibly escaping the Dursley's forever by asking the multitude of questions running rampant in her mind. Everything had happened so fast and she wanted to know what was going on but the Dursley's didn't like when she asked questions. Questions usually got her a cuff to the head and being tossed into her cupboard.
Looking up Aster was caught off guard by the patient and welcoming look etched onto Cordelias face. It was as if she was hoping for Aster to ask a question just so she could share her knowledge with her niece.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat that attempted to keep her silent and push through the fear and instinct build by the Dursley's Aster opened her mouth to speak.
"How can he talk? What's goin' to happen to me now? How is all of this even possible?"
Tilting her head slightly Cordelia leaned back into her chair making herself comfortable as she looked Aster right in the eyes.
"Well first off he is not speaking English. It seems you have inherited a great gift from your mothers family called parseltongue. It is the ability to talk with snakes and some reptiles and has its own brand of magic. As a matter of fact the family you inherited the skill from their family magic was rooted in healing so deep that the language cannot bring harm to another person. It's impossible for a parseltongue to use the language with any harmful or potentially harmful spells. It's a pure healing art.
As for what is going to happen to you, well you from now on will be living with me and a few others once I can track the rest of them down. Although for now we're will be remaining here in the heart of Gringotts to get your health up and for me to settle a few affairs before we head home to Potter place on Potter island. As for how all this is possible well let me ask you something. Has anything ever happened that was strange, that seemed impossible yet still happened?"
Asters eyes widened in surprise. She was speaking another language? She could feel the bubbling of hope and happiness but kept it in the back of her mind not wanting to fall to deep into the feeling just in case. Then her mind latched onto what Cordelia asked her as her mind flashed back to all the odd happenings around her. The cup that fell and broke only to repair itself, her hair that was shaved almost completely off just to grow back over night. Quickly looking to her newly discovered aunt Aster couldn't help but blurt out the same mantra who aunt and uncle had been barking at her for as long as she could remember.
"There is no such thing as magic."
Cordelia just gave her niece a soft sad smile as she shook her head before pulling out the same beautiful dark purple and oak wand. It was a beautifully crafted piece with strange word like markings going down the shaft following the twists of the two different woods. Where the hilt met the shaft a wyvern was carved with its mouth open looking like it was devouring it. It's wings were wrapped around it's neck and body like a cloak and it's hind legs folded into its body with its tail stretched down curling with an alert snake. The snake instead of having a tail was attached as the tail to a sleeping lion that made the end of the shaft with its legs curled into its body.
The carvings in the wand were so detailed that Aster could see every scale on the snake and wyvern and every hair on the sleeping lion. The bumps and curves of the creatures created a comfortable grip for her aunts hand. The dark purple wood had a slight silvery ting to it in the right light making it seem as if it was three different colors instead of two.
"How about I fix up that mess you call hair and show you a bit of what this is able to do. Then you can tell me if magic exists or not."
Nervously Aster nodded her head watching her aunt carefully as she gave a gentle flick of the wand. A sudden tingling sensation spread over her head before she fled her hair fall softly from its matted mess. She shakily lifted her hand up to her hair and ran her fingers through the knot free locks as a mirror suddenly appeared in her hands.
Looking down into her reflection her eyes widened as she saw her hair. It fell down in soft messy waves to her shoulders with her auburn strip curling somewhat more making it more prominent. She couldn't remember a time her hair wasn't matted or when it didn't hurt when she ran her hand through it. There had been many times aunt Petunia had tried to tame the mass on her head only to come out from it frustrated and annoyed.
A small smile twitched on her lips as her eyes teared up and small sniffles escaped from her. She could only blink a few times as she looked up to say thank you only to have her voice catch in her throat. Her eyes widened as she watched her aunt use her want to cause the papers she was reading through previously to fold into paper owls. With another flick the owls started to fly out of the room one after the other after getting a glob of wax with a symbol stamped onto it at the bottom of the page.
"That was like magic!"
As soon as the words left Asters lips she gasped quickly covering her mouth with her eyes blown wide with fear. Her heart rate sped up as she looked at her aunt Cordelia only to relax as the young woman just smiled broadly at her with a nod.
"That my dear is because it is magic. Your father my brother came from a long line of proud magi. Although we're now called witches and wizards which I find somewhat insulting since the words were originally used as an insult to those who were gifted with magic.
Your mother on the other hand is descended from a long line of squibs from her fathers line. I checked since a friend of mine in America has been looking into the origins of new bloods or muggleborns as they are called. He believes that all common new bloods are descended from old lines of magic that had gone into squibs. He's mostly right since a good portion of them are from squib lines like your mother but there are some true new bloods mixed in there."
An exasperated smile twitched on Cordelias lips as she crossed her arms and legs just thinking about her friend across the pond. He was quite an eccentric guy although that's not to shocking being Newt Scamanders youngest child. He has his fathers passion for his field and his mothers thirst to help people. Thus he dived into what makes a person magical in hopes to find out everything he could to help magi as a whole.
"Anyway back to me understanding Aquarius, although I can't speak his language the stronger our bond becomes the more I'll understand him. There will come a day that I will be able to understand him just as easily as you but we've only been bonded for about a year. I still have at least another year or so before our bond has cemented itself that deeply into my magic."
It all made sense to Aster how she was able to do the strange things that caused her relatives to be cruel to her. She was magical just like her mommy and daddy and her aunty Cordi. Then it occurred to her if both her parents were magical then why were they in a car.
"H-how did my parents die in a car crash then? Why were they even in a car? Why were they driving drunk?"
Her emotions made her words come out thick with grief as she thought of all the possibility if her parents had just used some form of magical transport. She would never have gone to the Dursley's and had to feel like she was nothing.
It didn't take long for her to realize that her auntie Cordi had stiffened up at her questions and began to panic. Did she cross a line that she didn't know about? Was she about to be sent back to the Dursley's to live in a cupboard? It wasn't until Cordelia spoke that her fears were whisked away.
"Those good for nothing common blooded transfigured animals pretending to be humans. I swear they will never raise their son once I'm through with them and they'll wish for death by the time I'm done. No honey your parents didn't die in a car crash and your father only ever touched a small morsel of fire whiskey on special occasions which were rare. Not to mention sobering potions do wonders for the hand eye coordination.
As for your mother she never touched a lick of the stuff since she was working hard to become a healer. She found early on she had a natural talent for healing magic and was quite proud to be able to help others. She wanted to go into research for magical maladies and bring possible cures to people in need.
How they died though, well that would need a small bit of history in order for you to know the why. You see at the time of your birth the magical world was in war for who had the rights to use magic. Some believe that common born didn't have a right to learn magic while others of that same side just wanted our traditions to be taught rather than replaced with muggle traditions. We are magi our traditions are rooted in the world around us. We celebrated Yule, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltain, summer solstice, Lughnasadh, Autumn equinox and Samhain. Yet slowly our traditions have been dying in the name of comfort to people who are entering our world.
This angered many who were born and raised within this community so they joined the side of those fighting to rid our world of them. This side was called the dark side while the light side opposed them."
Aster watched as her aunt sneered in distaste as she spoke of the titles of either side of the war. She tilted her head in confusion as she couldn't see why her aunt wouldn't like the titles. Seeing her confusion Cordelia gave a gentle smile to her niece knowing this was a lot to take in and try to understand for a five year old. Not to mention Cordelia isn't one to mince words or cater to even a child. She hopes that in time Aster will come to ask for clarification on what she said so she can learn.
"I don't like the titles because to me magic is magic and depends on how we wield it. Always remember this honey all magic is gray in most cases it is the individual that makes it dark. There are only three spells that I can classify as anything but good and these spells are merely tainted magic. They have been twisted so far from what they were originally meant for into something that only has one job and that is to harm.
The leader of the dark side got it into his head that a child born at the end of July would have the power to stop him. He ended up going after your parents to kill you since they matched a drunkards prophetic belligerence which he believed. Honestly prophecies are meant to be heard and ignored not taken as gospel. Such a imprecise branch of magic that could only be trusted with the short term tarot readings."
Aster giggled as she watched her aunt break off in grumbles about a single branch of magic. Sorrow filled her as she thought to how her parents died because she was born. Her thoughts must have been projected on her face because next thing she knew she felt a gentle flick to her forehead breaking her out of her thoughts. Looking up she caught her aunt pulling her hand back into her lap as she leaned back once more.
"Now none of that self blame child you did nothing wrong. You are not responsible for the choices of adults who know full well what their actions cause. You were the greatest gift James and Lily could ask for and they would have died for you no matter what age or situation. They both loved you with every inch of their soul and the proof of that is right here."
Cordelia gently reaches out and touched Aster on her chest where her heart beat of tempo against her rib cage. Once again her nose burned and her eyes teared up as she placed her hand on her chest after Cordelia had moved her own. The feeling of her heart beat against her hand and the expanding of her chest with each breath brought her to tears and she couldn't understand why.
"The fact that you sit here with me today after everything you've been through tells me and everyone else that your parents loved you more than their own life. Even more than their beliefs that had been instilled into them from youth by the so called leader of the light. Not many know this but I can feel it that night both James and Lily invoked ancient family magic to protect you. A magic so powerful that it needed an equally powerful sacrifice in order to enact."
Aster sniffled before mumbling Just above a whisper.
"What does in-act mean?"
A grin blossomed on Cordelias face at the softly spoken question. This was why she adored children they always bounced back with a little attention. Mind you she knew this was just a small step and that they were in for a long haul especially once she gets her godfather free from that sorry excuse for a prison. Hopefully by that time she'll have back up in the form of a werewolf living in a hole somewhere. May Gaia and mother magic guide her in finding that bloody prideful wolf.
"Enact means to make out or start something it got the magic to work that protected you that night and still protects you to this day. Let's see what else are you possibly confused on?"
She tapped her perfectly manicured nail against her chin thinking back on everything she's told her niece. It didn't take her long to figure out what she needed to clarify as she snapped her fingers in realization.
"Ah yes now I remember squib, common born and muggle born these are definitely terms you have most likely never heard before. A squib is a person born to a magical family without magic while common born and muggle born is just the opposite of squib. Common born is just the old way of calling those born to those without magic."
Cordelia watched as her niece sighed in relief at the explanation clearly lost on what those things were. It was definitely going to be a long road to get the girl to open up and ask questions but consistency is key along with stability.
"I'm going to be honest with you Aster I won't sugar coat things for you. I find it insulting to the intelligent mind I know you inherited from your parents. If you don't understand what I'm saying then do not be afraid to ask for clarification which means to ask what I meant. I want you to learn and if that means speaking as an adult around you and encouraging as well as somewhat forcing you to ask questions than so be it.
I will never withhold food as punishment nor will I ever get physical with you in any way. The most you'll get is a stinging hex to the bum for misbehaving or sent to your room while I deal with what you did wrong afterwards we will talk about what you did do and what you should have done. The other punishments would be canceling special plans like going to a park are stargazing in a very special area on Potter island. Do you understand?"
Asters eyes widened until her pupils dilated as she looked into her aunts blue gray eyes that showed her seriousness. She didn't know what to think since all she ever knew was what the Dursley's would call punishment. It was a strange thought to know that she might never go without foot again. Yet she couldn't fully drop her guard. She didn't know if this was just at the beginning or if it'd change in the future like it did at the Dursley's place.
Realizing she had spaced for quite some time she slowly nodded that she understood which she did. She just didn't trust it to be true but knew that only time would be able to ease that feeling. She will just have to keep an eye out for any changes so she can adapt.
A sudden clanging sound distracted them as the sound of a deep guttural language echoed into the large chamber and the flutter of paper wings came closer. First a paper bird landed in Cordelias hand before unfolding itself into a crease free piece of parchment. Then a pair of strange creatures walked around the corner talking to one another in the deep guttural language of theirs.
The creatures were short with large heads and large pointed ears and noses with rows of sharp pointed teeth flashing out of somewhat wide mouths. Their eyes were small and somewhat beady with a sharp intelligence. One wore white robes with green trim carrying a clip board while the other was in a designer business suit carrying a briefcase. They both approached Aster and Cordelia only stopping right as they got to their area it was the one in the suit that spoke.
"Lady Potter, heiress Potter may your gold ever grow, it is good to see you two have gotten comfortable in our care."
Cordelia nodded her head at the creature before responding.
"Goblin account manager Sharpfang it is good to see you well as well have you found what I asked for?"
The goblin Sharpfang grinned displaying his rows of sharp pointed teeth that flashed in the subtle light of the healing chambers. He loves working with Cordelia potter since she always got right to the heart of the matter refusing to waist time with idle chatter or games of subtlety.
"Indeed I have and it seems you were right in your suspicions. The will of the late lord and lady Potter were sealed by the wizengamot at the behests of one Albus Dumbledore on November first 1981 in an emergency meeting that he himself had called forth. Luckily for us your brother and his wife had the smarts to place the original copies into the trust of the goblin nation allowing them to remain unsealed since they were within our lands."
He pulled his briefcase up onto the small table that stood next to Cordelia and opened it to pull out a stack of papers. At the top of the stack was a paper that read 'the last will and testament of Lord James Charlus Potter' in large gold letters. He quickly handed the papers over to Cordelia who sat and read through the papers with a grin slowly spreading across her face. Handing the papers back to Sharpfang she nodded as the grin never left her lip.
"Can you do me a favor and send copies of these to both Ted Tonks and lady Amelia Bones with a full inquiry into the trials of one Sirius Orion Black. I'm also going to be asking to trouble you for a room for the duration of our stay. I feel my niece will benefit from your wonderful healers best as well as lord Black when not if we get him free."
Sharpfang nodded his own pleased grin making his face look more feral as it twisted up at the corners.
"No need for pleasantries lady Potter the goblin nation is always willing to help and house a visiting Potter. It'd be our pleasure to help in your pursuit of justice for lord black."
Cordelia gave a returning nod her back straight, Shoulders back, legs crossed with fingers laced on her knee making her look like the lady she was bred to be.
"Much appreciated may your enemy's fall to your blade."
At that Sharpfang turned and shuffled quickly out of the healing chambers to get the ball rolling on what is most definitely going to be a huge scandal. He couldn't wait for the fall out of this mess the ministry has made for itself.
With Sharpfang gone the other goblin stepped forward looking down at its clipboard before directing her sight at the small girl sitting in the bed. It was a sight to see a child of five being swallowed by a goblin sized bed when most children her age would fit comfortably in the small bed. Even goblins saw children as sacred and any found abusing the young would find themselves missing their head from their shoulders. One wizard found this out the hard way ruffle three to four hundred years ago when he went to assault his child within the bank which is counted as goblin territory. Needless to say the actions of the guards at the time almost caused another war between the goblin nation and the ministry at the time. Especially since the wizard killed was the head of his family.
Shaking itself out of its musings the goblin turned to the only other adult in the room to speak.
"It is a pleasure to see you again lady Potter allow me to introduce myself once more for the sake of heiress Potter."
The healer gestured to Aster at this who was sitting watching with fascination as she gently scratched Aquarius's scales making him purr in delight. Cordelia just smiled at the goblin healer before nodding her assent.
"I am healer Stonegem and will be young heiress Potters head healer for the duration of her stay within goblin territory. Now heiress Potter is suffering from several problems but for now we will focus on her weight and nutrition. After that we will work on healing the damaged bones. Luckily this can be accomplished by breaking the bones or vanishing the bones and administering the child safe version skelogrow. This version will keep her asleep through most of the regrowth of the bones. The bones needing regrowth are the ones in her left hand. The rest of her bones have just suffered fractures which will be helped with the skelogrow.
For now we will start her on a small dosage of nutrition potion with every meal to help boost her appetite a bit and allow her to digest the food easier. These dosages will be with the three main meals but she will be getting a healthy snack in between each meal to help as well. The steady meals, nutrition potion and rest will help with the dehydration and other deficiencies from lack of sustenance. After that we can deal with the other problem we found but since that vile bit is dormant it can wait until she is moderately healthy. Any objections?"
Cordelia just shook her head and motioned for Stonegem to do what she needed to do. Both Cordelia and Aster watched as the goblin healer clapped and a tray of fruit with a drizzle of honey and side of fresh baked bread appeared before Aster making her jump in surprise causing Aquarius to tumble into his mistresses lap. Looking wide eyed at the platter Aster also noticed the cup of milk in one corner and what looked like a shot glass with a strange murky liquid swirling in it. Also on the tray was a little bit of cold meat and cheese cut into chunks.
"Now heiress Potter you need to drink the small shot of potion before you can begin to eat. After that I want you to eat as much as you can of your meal but take it slow and easy. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and you'll be fine. When finished just push the platter away and it will return to the kitchens where it belongs. I also want you to drink all of the milk it will help when it comes time to deal with your bones do you understand?"
Aster silently nodded still a little overwhelmed with how things have gone from the moment she woke up. The goblin taking this all in stride just nodded and shuffled out of the healing wards leaving the two to their own work. Deciding that food was a wonderful idea Aster quickly drank down the murky liquid only to gag and grab the milk to wash the disgusting taste from her tongue.
A light chuckle distracted her from her revelation that potions were not fun to consume. Looking over at her aunt she noticed that Aquarius was once again snoozing on her aunts shoulders like a breathing scarf. She had one hand laid on his neck while the other held the paper that and flew in with the goblins in the other. Her eyes were looking down at the paper with satisfaction as she spoke.
"Trust me when I say this honey but potions all taste deplorable since many flavoring agents would react badly to the ingredients used in the potions. Just got to suck it up and suck it down as fast as possible and have a drink or food that can coat your tongue and throat to get rid of the taste."
Nodding Aster dug into her meal of fresh fruit but not before seeing at the bottom of the paper in Cordelias hand the name Severus T, Snape in an elegant loopy scrawl.