AN: Hey guys, firstly I'd like to apologise for the long hiatus... life just gets in the way. But I am back! (I hope) This should mean consistent chapters once more... how consistent? Only time shall tell, but I'll do my very best. Currently writing both Naruto and HP, and plan to start writing MCU again so it can finally start being uploaded. Thank you so much to everyone who has continued to support me! Also, to get access to the public chapters earlier and faster, when they are uploaded, check my P@TR30n where we are more active!
As always, if you would like to view up to 20 more bonus chapters on all my fics so far including this one, and would also like to support me, please visit my P@TR30N, at pa tr eon.com / GhidorahWriter (remove the spaces). Enjoy the chapter!
"Blake!"
A loud, familiar voice came from behind him. Blake almost groaned as Zabini, Tracey and Charlotte snickered. Ron had decided to shout his name from across the corridor, attracting the attention of all the students in it.
"D'you mind going on ahead?" he asked them. "I need to berate the ginger."
Ron and Harry caught up to him as the others left.
"Have you heard?" Ron said excitedly. "Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas! We were hoping you'd rub it in Malfoy's-"
"No."
Ron's grin faltered, and so did Harry's.
"H-huh?"
"Firstly, I'd say there's a 90% chance that that Firebolt was sent by Sirius Black." Both Harry and Ron opened their mouths to protest, but Blake didn't give them the time.
"And not only that, but you've stopped speaking to Hermione because she pointed it out - for your safety," he continued.
"Think logically, Harry. Who else would've bought you that broom? Who has the money? Did you know how rich Sirius Black is? The Blacks used to be richer than the Malfoys, and now, he's got nothing left to lose."
"But how could the most wanted criminal in Britain buy that broomstick?" Ron said desperately.
"Ron, are you an idiot? It's mail order, for Merlin's sake! You don't have to show a face! And besides, Black wouldn't have the money on him - he probably asked Gringotts to get it, and you know all about goblins, don't you, Ron? D'you think they care if Black's wanted?"
Ron had no reply.
"So I'll ask again - how many people in the world can afford a broomstick like that, and of them, how many of them have a reason to buy one for Harry Potter?"
Harry and Ron's mouths were left agape like fish.
"And even forgetting that, you spent the rest of the holidays ignoring her? Hermione, who was only looking out for you?" Blake shook his head in disgust before turning around.
"I thought you of all people would know what it's like to be ignored and left out, Harry," he said quietly, before returning to his dorm room.
Neither of the Gryffindor boys responded.
/
"I've been doing some research," Greengrass said as she and Blake were making their way back from yet another failed attempt at locating Sirius Black.
"There's an ingredient I'm trying to get, and I was hoping you'd get it for me?"
Blake's interest piqued immediately.
"What is it?"
The expression on Greengrass's face was one of concern.
"Phoenix tears."
There's no way in hell I can get that.
"Greengraass… Dumbledore's the only person I know that has a phoenix, and-"
"I know!" she said quickly. "All I need is an audience with Dumbledore. If I can get him to-"
"Why would he?" Blake countered. "First of all, phoenixes only cry when someone loyal to their owner is in danger - neither of us satisfy that quality."
"Don't you think I know that?" Greengrass snapped. "But still, if there's some way I can, Dumbledore will be the person to go to!"
Blake was quiet for a moment.
"Fine," he muttered. "But first, tell me the theory behind why you want it."
Greengrass's eyes lit up.
"The Basilisk venom is potent - I've no doubt it definitely helps attack the curse, but it would kill Astoria too. The Elixir of Life would maintain her life, yes, but the quality of that life…"
She trailed off briefly, before continuing.
"Anyway, phoenix tears are the only known antidote to Basilisk venom. If I can get phoenix tears-"
"You neutralise the venom," Blake finished. "But if you neutralise the venom, how will-"
"I'll need to apply the phoenix tears right after the Basilisk venom," she said grimly. "It'll undoubtedly be painful, but it's looking like the only option we have right now."
"So, this whole idea of a cure's out of the question then?" Blake frowned. "It's just a series of steps? The Elixir of Life, Basilisk venom, and then phoenix tears?"
"Not necessarily," she responded. "That would be too risky - we don't know how quick any of them work in humans, and we don't have anyone to test it on. Phoenix tears only work on the site of the Basilisk bite too, we can't just get her to drink them."
"So?"
"So, right now, the working theory is that we deliver the Elixir of Life and Basilisk venom simultaneously, using the Muggle-stabbing method."
Blake looked at her incredulously.
"You mean a vaccine?"
"Whatever it is," she said dismissively, "And then we apply the phoenix tears on the site of this so-called vaccination. The issue then would be-"
"Preventing the Basilisk venom and Elixir of Life from interacting with each other before they're meant to?"
"Exactly," Greengrass nodded. "We'll need stabiliser ingredients, but that shouldn't be an issue just yet. Right now, we need to ensure that we have access to phoenix tears. So, can you set up a meeting with Dumbledore?"
Blake sighed.
"Y'know, I'm not a teacher. It's not like I have access to Dumbledore 24/7."
"Apart from Potter, you're the only person he consistently talks to. You're one of his favourites. He'll want to appease you here, especially after last year."
Yeah, I know, Blake thought.
"Fine," he said, "I'll let you know when." Remembering something, he added snidely, "Unlucky your Patronus can't cry."
"Shut up, Renshaw."
They'd reached the inside of the castle, but just before the turn towards the Slythering dungeons, Greengrass stopped him.
"Thank you. Actually, there's something I've been meaning to show you," she said with a small smile, as she began climbing up the stairs.
Huh? What's this? Blake wondered, as one flight of stairs turned into two and two turned into three.
"Where the hell are we going?" he complained. "My legs are gonna start hurting!"
"Oh, shut up," she said, rolling her eyes. "You exercise everyday. Stop being a baby."
Finally, they reached the very top of the castle, the seventh floor.
"Why are we here?" Blake said, as they walked past a portrait of Barnabas the Barmy.
"Remember, it's on the seventh floor, west wing, opposite Barnabas the Barmy," she said, ignoring his question.
"Huh?"
"Just follow my lead, and think of something you need," she commanded. That rhymes.
As they walked up and down past the portrait three times, Blake wondered what he was doing with his life as the portrait began yapping at them about trolls and ballet, when suddenly Greengrass stopped him.
"Look!" she said, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Huh? What-"
Blake paused mid sentence, staring at the door that had just appeared out of nowhere. Greengrass entered, and wordlessly, he followed. What he saw completely threw him.
"This is… this is a lab, isn't it?" he said, amazed, looking around at all the glass equipment, cauldrons, cabinets filled with ingredients and textbooks detailing everything you'd need for Potion making.
"Yep!"
Greengrass back to him, smirking wider than ever before.
"Welcome to the Room of Requirement!"
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