Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
October 9, 1976 / Serena PoV
Exactly one lunar cycle had passed, a little less than a month, and I was sitting at breakfast looking at the Daily Prophet with the biggest smile.
"Anti-lycanthropy potion by Serena Snape."
The article was on the front page in large print. It talked about the potion and the tests that had been carried out the night before. Since I told Lucius last month, he has been working all this time to carry out these tests with the Ministry as a witness so that they could observe the effectiveness of the potions.
Everything turned out as it should; the potions took effect, and the group of selected werewolves maintained their faculties without problem. Even the Daily Prophet was present during the tests. The article fully covered all the exhaustive tests carried out by the ministry to ensure the legitimacy of the potion.
Once I finished reading the news, my smile grew wider. Everything was perfect; they even added that the Malfoys and Mary would be in charge of the distribution indefinitely. We are blocking the recipe, so only me, Mary, and a selected group of potioneers, who had signed more NDA'S than necessary, knew how to prepare the potion. With that, I looked up from my newspaper and saw the other students whispering and looking in my direction.
My gaze immediately went to the marauders. Lupin was clinging to the newspaper tightly. He looked like he was about to burst into tears. The others comforted him until they felt my gaze; the group looked at me as one, and my smile turned mocking. Lupin paled, and Potter and Black bristled; well, I guess they noticed.
I stood up, drawing more glances, and looked at the Headmaster, who had lowered his newspaper. My mocking smile still present, I held his gaze for a few seconds before exiting the great hall, Lucius and Narcissa immediately followed me. Now, to wait.
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October 22, 1976 / Serena PoV
2 weeks, it was approaching the 10-day limit before the full moon, and everything was going as planned. The ministry had awarded me a second-class Order of Merlin; it would have been a third class, but Lucius' father, Abraxas, apparently pushed hard enough for a second class to be awarded. Not that I cared about the award itself, and I had no desire for it, but the prize money was always welcome.
Lupin looked worse by the day, much worse than on full moon days. He looked at me as if I had kicked his puppy and gave me longing glances every time we passed each other. He was pale and seemed to not be eating properly. On the other hand, Black and Potter gave me hateful glances that could rival any curse I could think of, but I ignored them with ease. It wasn't just them; all the teachers gave me looks that ranged from total contempt like McGonagall to sycophantic ones like Slughorn. Speaking of Slughorn, I was outside his office knocking on the door.
"Wait a minute!" I could hear the quick footsteps before the door opened. "Serena! Please come in, come in!" Slughorn said quickly with a wide smile.
"Professor," I nodded as I came in.
"How have you been, my dear?" Slughorn closed the door and moved quickly. "Please help yourself to whatever you like!" he smiled as he waved his wand to prepare a cup of tea and some snacks.
"Of course, professor," I simply took one of the chocolate cookies and put it in my mouth, I didn't believe that Slughorn was capable of poisoning me, but I had my Gold-mind ready to decant at any moment.
The cookie was delicious, so I started picking at the cookies while I lightly chatted with Slughorn. Rather, I listened to the man talk as he went off on tangents about the people he knew and the accomplishments they had made. I just responded and chimed in every so often. That didn't seem to discourage him, and he kept talking.
"And how is your mother, my girl? I always knew she had a gift for potions." He asked jovially.
"She passed away a year ago," I said imperturbably as I ate another biscuit. Slughorn choked slightly on his tea.
"Oh, my condolences, my dear. She was a brilliant student, something you surely got from her," he laughed awkwardly. "By the way, did I congratulate you on your Wolfbane Potion? An Order of Merlin second class! And so young!"
"Only once or twice, Professor."
"Flattery never hurts, then!" Slughorn squirmed uncomfortably in his spot. "So, my dear… I had a question, a favor." He cleared his throat.
"I was curious about the potion itself, you see, something like the anti-lycanthropy potion is something that is rarely seen. So, if you could appease this old potioneer, might I be able to see the recipe?" He asked almost pleadingly. "Only in an academic way, I swear! I promise not to sell it or share it with anyone!" And there it was. I didn't know if this was a genuine attempt by Slughorn to satisfy his interest in potions or if it was an order from Dumbledore to get it for him, but still, I gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry Professor, but Lucius instructed me not to share it with anyone." Slughorn grimaced and seemed to be struggling with himself.
"I understand, dear, but... are you sure I couldn't take a look at it? I promise not to say anything."
"I'm sorry, Professor," I shook my head.
"I was afraid of that," Slughorn sighed in disappointment.
"If that's all, Professor-" I stood up still with an apologetic expression "-I have some things to do. It was a pleasure."
"That's okay, dear!" He smiled again, but this time more fragilely. "I won't keep you any longer!" With that, he stood up and walked me out, I thought that was all of Slughorn's attempt, so I started to leave the room without any concern.
"Serena!" Slughorn stopped me after 10 steps. So, I looked over my shoulder; Slughorn gave me a guilty look. "The principal wants to meet you today after dinner." With that, the professor escaped to his room and closed the door with more force than necessary, I couldn't help but smile. Here It was. I continued walking, making plans.