HP: Supreme Potion Collector [Original Female Protagonist]

Amidst her work, Orli stole a glance at Snape. She couldn't quite define what their current relationship was:

If she were to call it harmonious, Snape's attitude toward her remained distant, often laced with a sharp edge of disdain. Since the incident with Barty Crouch Jr., he had forbidden her from leaving the Waters estate. Orli was convinced that if he didn't have other pressing matters, he would likely stay to monitor her day and night.

Yet to say their relationship was strained... after spending an entire holiday together, a subtle, unspoken understanding had grown between them. Like now, for instance: she could sense that Snape returned in a foul mood, unwilling to speak or tolerate any questions about what had transpired outside. At the same time, Snape maintained a curious equilibrium with her—he refrained from using Legilimency, so long as their shared goal remained intact: to do everything possible to prevent Voldemort's return.

Of course, Orli had her suspicions about another reason he avoided Legilimency: perhaps he had already glimpsed the secret she harbored in her heart but chose not to confront it...

Her thoughts swirled, but her hands continued their work without pause.

Under the moonlight, their shadows stretched across the leaves of the Liquid Grass. Orli had grown tall enough to reach Snape's ear. Together, their silhouettes looked strikingly complementary. She took a small step closer to Snape, and now their shadows seemed to lean against each other.

# Severus Snape: "Focus, Waters. What are you daydreaming about?"

Unconsciously, Snape shifted a step to the side. Their shadows parted once more.

## Orli: "Nothing, Professor... I just thought the moonlight tonight is beautiful."

Orli's voice was soft, tinged with nervousness. The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them. What a foolish excuse! She braced herself for Snape's inevitable sarcasm.

But no sarcasm came. No cutting remarks.

Snape lifted his gaze to the full moon above, exhaling slowly.

# Severus Snape: "Indeed. The moonlight tonight is beautiful."

——————

In the final days before the school term began, they completed the improvements to the Wolfsbane Potion. According to their design, the potion would allow werewolves to retain full control of their human faculties during the full moon, with just one dose lasting for an entire three months.

The most groundbreaking feature was its ability to significantly suppress the contagiousness of lycanthropy. Even if a werewolf who regularly consumed the potion bit someone during their transformation, the likelihood of the victim becoming a werewolf would be drastically reduced. Of course, no potion is without flaws. Their improved Wolfsbane Potion came with minor side effects: during the full moon, those who took it might experience swelling, persistent high fever, dizziness, or localized pain—any one of these symptoms. Yet compared to the excruciating agony of transformation, these side effects were a far more tolerable trade-off.

——————

Author's Note:

The phrase "The moonlight tonight is beautiful" is inspired by Japanese author Natsume Sōseki. While teaching English, he once assigned his students a translation exercise involving a short story where the male protagonist said, "I love you" during a moonlit walk. A student translated it literally as ("I love you"). Sōseki suggested a more nuanced and poetic rendering: ("The moonlight tonight is beautiful"), believing it conveyed the sentiment more subtly.

Being with the one who holds your heart makes the moonlight beautiful.

This scene is a personal indulgence of mine, as Orli and the Professor in this moment have no intention of confessing their feelings. Perhaps it's more about an unspoken understanding that neither dares to put into words.