That day's private lesson was especially rewarding—not only did Wyzett brew Pepperup Potion, he also refined its recipe under the close guidance of a true Potions Master.
Even more, he'd begun to organize and absorb the foundational knowledge of potion concentration and dilution.
By the time Wyzett finished tidying his notes and stepped out of the office, night had already fallen. Through the window, the sky was a solid sheet of darkness—no stars, no moon. It was exactly this kind of gloomy weather that let the cold, damp air seep in, fueling the flu's spread throughout Hogwarts.
...
In the hospital wing, the fireplace blazed with determined warmth, fighting back the encroaching chill.
Madam Pomfrey eyed the potions he delivered with curiosity. "Three different kinds of Pepperup Potion?"
Flu was a frequent visitor at Hogwarts, so she knew Pepperup Potion well.
Following Snape's instructions, Wyzett pointed out one box. "Professor Snape asked me to bring this—Pepperup Potion brewed especially for Gryffindor House."
Madam Pomfrey gave a sly, knowing smile. "Actually, this batch is rather popular among some of the Gryffindors."
"I remember last time they came down with the flu, they'd compete to see who could drink their Pepperup Potion the slowest."
Wyzett couldn't help but chuckle. "Madam Pomfrey, you haven't told Professor Snape about this, have you?"
She sighed, a fondness in her voice. "Oh, those children… And these other two? This one looks like the standard version—did you brew it?"
Wyzett nodded. "Yes, I followed the recipe exactly. The quality should be up to scratch."
Madam Pomfrey said warmly, "Snape may be a bit peculiar, but if he trusts you to brew his potions, that means he has real confidence in you."
She picked up a bottle from the third box, the glass glinting with an orange sheen. "Now this one… I've never seen before. Is it a new version?"
Wyzett explained, "Yes, I added a sweetener."
"He actually let you improve the taste?" Madam Pomfrey muttered in surprise, "Well, I suppose… some of last year's potions were a little different, too."
"If he's willing to improve the flavor, it'd be nice if he'd provide a preventive draught as well. That way, we could stop the flu before it starts, instead of scrambling when it hits."
Wyzett blinked. "A preventive potion?"
"Just a suggestion from your friendly school nurse," she said, waving her hand. "A bit of prevention goes a long way. Otherwise, when everyone shows up at once, it gets awfully busy in here!"
Wyzett thought for a moment. "If it's just a preventive potion, I could give it a try."
Madam Pomfrey looked surprised. "Oh? Planning to consult Professor Snape again?"
Wyzett explained, "For prevention, the effects don't need to be too strong—just enough to nip the flu in the bud at the first sign."
He took a bottle from the third box, pressed his wand to the glass, and magically enlarged it.
With another flick, he cast the Aguamenti spell. "These improved Pepperup Potions are special—they can be diluted directly with pure water."
"If we want to make a preventive version for everyone, taste and mouthfeel matter. So, besides pure water, maybe something a bit more… unique…"
His gaze swept the room and landed on the roaring fireplace.
"No need for a Fire-Making Charm this time…"
Maintaining the Aguamenti, he let the conjured water bubble up—tiny bubbles fizzed and popped, vanishing into the air.
"Hm, that's a bit too quick…"
Thanks to Snape's guidance, Wyzett now understood the logic and steps of Pepperup Potion well enough to adjust the process as needed.
This time, he decided to add sparkling water to the sweetened Pepperup Potion as he diluted it.
He could manage this thanks to his ritual-magic-based mastery of the Water-Making Spell, which let him manipulate the spell with far more finesse. Even the principle behind the carbonation was simple—he used the basic magic of Aguamenti to bind carbon dioxide from the fireplace to the water.
"Madam Pomfrey, do you have any lacewing fly essence?" Wyzett asked. "I'd like to use it as a stabilizer, to help the bubbles bond with the potion."
He explained his reasoning clearly, hoping to put Madam Pomfrey at ease. If she saw a problem, she could step in and correct him before any misunderstandings arose.
"Accio lacewing fly essence!" she called, summoning a wide-mouthed bottle to her hand.
"You really have learned the Pepperup Potion recipe inside and out… No wonder Snape's willing to let you improve it."
With the double effect of sparkling water and lacewing fly essence, the preventive draught Wyzett brewed became as clear as water. Bubbles still rose to the surface, but much more slowly—just like the sodas he remembered from the Muggle world.
In fact, the whole idea for this preventive potion came from drinks like cola and Sprite.
And as a true potioneer, it was only right to try his own creation first.
Wyzett poured himself a cup. The taste was like Sprite, but with a hint of cola mixed in. As he swallowed, a gentle warmth spread down his throat and through his body…
He smacked his lips, savoring the flavor, but something still seemed missing.
Madam Pomfrey poured herself a cup as well. "Tastes like some Muggle beverage… but much better than that stuff!"
Wyzett asked, curious, "Madam Pomfrey, have you ever tried soda?"
"It's called… cola, isn't it?" she recalled. "Back during the wizarding war, a Hufflepuff student smuggled a bottle into school."
"Professor Slughorn analyzed it—nasty stuff, really. There was some sort of hallucinogen in it. Didn't do much to wizards, but for Muggles, it could be dangerous."
Cola…
Liquid happiness!
Hearing Madam Pomfrey's story, Wyzett realized exactly what was missing from his preventive potion—happiness!
He took out another bottle of Pepperup Potion. This time, as he diluted it into a preventive draught, he not only added sparkling water, but also cast Ancient Magic: Potion Equilibrium Transmutation.
He adjusted the proportions, boosting the soul component just a touch. Then, using a bit of mental magic, he drew out a trace of pure happiness and wove it into the potion's soul.
"How odd…" Madam Pomfrey murmured, frowning slightly, though a smile crept onto her lips. "The taste hasn't changed… nor the effects… but why does it suddenly taste so good?"
Wyzett grinned. "I infused a bit of soul into it—and bottled up some happiness as well."
...
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