His Dark Lady | Tom Riddle Novella

Chapter 13: Trouble Brewing

October 6th, 1950

Emelina was sipping her tea at Florean Fortescue's parlour with a pile of books in front of her. One of her potions had failed yet again and she was determined to figure out why.

Earlier in the day, It seemed to have no reaction when she tested it on herself but that much was expected. When her house elf, Hokey, had offered herself up as a guinea pig, Emelina was grateful to oblige. Her potion had worked at first, Hokey's skin had become taught and smooth, she looked as though she had aged in reverse.

The effects of the potions had only lasted for about half a minute before Hokey's skin looked just as papery thin as it had before. Upon seeing her young mistress' crestfallen expression, Hokey insisted that she simply hadn't had enough of the potion and pleaded she try it again, but to the same effect that lasted a few heartbeats.

It didn't last nearly long enough for Emelina to even inspect Hokey's internal functions to see if it had worked internally as well as externally. In short, the young witch was now growing frustrated. She had always found herself to excel when it came to potions, even those of her own creation, but she just couldn't seem to figure this one out.

This had led Emelina to finally make a trip to Diagon Alley's library and try to determine the solution to her problem. Slughorn hadn't yet replied to her letter either so Emelina found herself swimming in research at Fortescue's parlour.

She poured over a book that had a peculiar image with a youthful face but wiry grey hair and heavily sagging skin around the throat area. This potion was just a skin regenerating potion that gave the temporary appearance of younger looking skin. Still not quite what Emelina was looking for.

"Miss Smith?" Emelina looked up and Florean Fortescue himself smiled kindly at her. "Hate to interrupt your reading but I think that owl over there is trying to get your attention." and he pointed behind her to a grey owl who was tapping at the glass and flapping its wings.

"Oh, thank you Mr. Fortescue," Emelina smiled at him before rising from her seat and pushing the door open to get to her owl.

"Drake!" Emelina exclaimed as she stroked his feathery head, he hooted happily in response and she looked questioningly at Fortescue who nodded and gestured for her to come in. She carried her handsome owl in on her arm and sat down with him as he pecked her softly to get her attention, lifting his leg up.

Not noticing the scroll rolled up before, Emelina unravelled it from Drake's leg to read it as he helped himself to her partially eaten scones on the table.

"Not too much," Emelina warned her gluttonous owl before turning her attention to the note.

My Dear Emelina,

You haven't an idea just how much joy it brought me to have received your letter. I'm thrilled to know that you are still using your immaculate expertise in potions, I do hope you'll remember old me once you've trademarked some real winners!

Now, I was hoping that you might join me later this month for a little get together on Halloween, I'm sure you remember our delightful Slug Club meetings, eh? I hear that you are still a bachelorette and know some incredible wizards who would be delighted to meet your acquaintance.

You were always one of my favourites- I hope to see you then!

Horace Slughorn

Emelina felt her scowl deepen as she read the note. Not only did her former potions professor completely ignore her inquiry, he seemed to take it upon himself to try and set her up with someone as well. She truly wished people would stop trying to meddle in her love life.