Note: Al, Severus, Harry Who: Harry, Al, Severus Where: Hogwarts When: July 31, 2025 Rating/Warnings: Summary: something for Dad
In the morning, Al asked a house elf to take over the following useful substances, which were all brewed, bottled, and marked in Al's handwriting. The labels each contained the name, the amount, date brewed, shelf life, a recommended maximum dose to be taken (calculated for Dad's age, weight, and size) and a list of potential side effects.
1. Invigoration Draught 2. Wit-sharpening Potion 3. Sleeping Draught 4. Aqua Pura - sufficient amount to be taken with substances #1 through #3, containing a lengthy label with all the prior descriptors, the recommended dose, and just as long of a list of possible side effects as the previous items: the list which contained several instances of 'lethal if' clauses in fine print, concluded by 'CAUTION: causes death by drowning'.
The fifth bottle differed from the rest of Al's collection by being tall, slim, and pale blue. It had a wax seal over its cork and its label - free of warnings - proclaimed it to be: Nettle Wine.
A note in Snape's angular, spiky handwriting read...
Dear Harry,
Though it's likely you thought otherwise, I assure you that the potions were not only Al's idea, prompted by concern for your well-being, but they were brewed entirely by him, without assistance of any kind from me, beyond my post-brewing examination of each. (You may of course imbibe them without concern: for the record, had they been produced in class, they would have attracted an Outstanding grade.)
The nettle wine is my first vintage since my return; it is therefore still unavoidably immature and will benefit from cellaring for a further five years.
Many happy returns from us both.
...At the bottom of the note were the signatures, each in their owners' distinctive script: