Harry Potter's Coolest Aunt

Rouge Bludger

Harry made an indistinct noise in his throat and then hurried off after the rest of his friends „I don't believe it," he said as the three of them examined the signature on the note. „He didn't even look at the book we wanted."

„That's because he's a brainless git," said Draco. „But who cares, we've got what we needed-"

„He is not a brainless git," said Hermione shrilly as they half ran toward the library. „Just because he said you were the best student of the year-"

They dropped their voices as they entered the muffled stillness of the library. Madam Pince, the librarian, was a thin, irritable woman who looked like an underfed vulture.

„Moste Potente Potions?" she repeated suspiciously, trying to take the note from Hermione; but Hermione wouldn't let go.

„I was wondering if I could keep it," she said breathlessly. „Oh, come on," said Ron, wrenching it from her grasp and thrusting it at Madam Pince. „We'll get you another autograph. Lockhart'll sign anything if it stands still long enough."

Madam Pince held the note up to the light, as though determined to detect a forgery, but it passed the test. She stalked away between the lofty shelves and returned several minutes later carrying a large and mouldy-looking book. Hermione put it carefully into her bag and they left, trying not to walk too quickly or look too guilty. Five minutes later, they were barricaded in Moaning Myrtle's out-of-order bathroom once again. Hermione had overridden Ron's objections by pointing out that it was the last place anyone in their right mind would go, so they were guaranteed some privacy. Moaning Myrtle was crying noisily in her stall, but they were ignoring her, and she them.

Hermione opened Moste Potente Potions carefully, and the five of them bent over the damp-spotted pages. It was clear from a glance why it belonged in the Restricted Section. Some of the potions had effects almost too gruesome to think about, and there were some very unpleasant illustrations, which included a man who seemed to have been turned inside out and a witch sprouting several extra pairs of arms out of her head.

Aishi felt a bit sick to look at it so Harry made her sit away and gave her chocolate to eat.

„Here it is," said Hermione excitedly as she found the page-headed The Polyjuice Potion. It was decorated with drawings of people halfway through transforming into other people. Harry sincerely hoped the artist had imagined the looks of intense pain on their faces.

„This is the most complicated potion I've ever seen," said Draco as they scanned the recipe. „Lace-wing flies, leeches, fluxweed, and knotgrass," he murmured, running his finger down the list of ingredients. „Well, they're easy enough, they're in the student storecupboard, we can help ourselves... but powdered horn of a Bicorn, shredded skin of a Boom-slang and of course a bit of whoever we want to change into."

„Excuse me?" said Ron sharply. „What d'you mean, a bit of whoever we're changing into? I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it-"

Hermione then continued as though she hadn't heard him.„We don't have to worry about that yet, though, because we add those bits last... Ron turned, speechless, to Harry, who had another worry.

„D'you realize how much we're going to have to steal, Hermione? Shredded skin of a boomslang, that's not in the students' cupboard. What are we going to do, break into Snape's private stores? I don't know if this is a good idea..." Draco said