Power, Freedom and a French Flower

Rituals

AN: Thank you again for all the reviews and kind feedback.

I have big plans for the next couple of chapters, including Harry's first interaction with a certain blonde-haired female...

Enjoy!

The recognizable parts belong to JKR

Chapter 15

May 31st, 1993

Today was May 31st and according to both his and Salazar's calculations and notes, his body and magic would be 13 years of age as of today. That means that tonight he would do the Cleansing-Ritual, which in turn, would erase any of the effects of malnutrition and physical abuse he suffered under the Dursleys.

The ritual would therefore strengthen his muscles, bones, and even skin. The Dursleys never fed him much, so often times his magic took the necessary proteins and nutrients to keep Harry alive from his muscle tissue and bones.

The potions he took before his first year were not strong enough to fully counteract the years of being underfed. This ritual would change that for Harry. However, it did come at a price. The ritual required even more of Harry's blood than the last one.

In addition, ingredients with powerful healing abilities were the main source of the ritual. Harry had made a list of such ingredients:

The most powerful one was phoenix tears, which he already carried in his blood, courtesy of Fawkes. A close second was uncursed unicorn blood.

The only way one could obtain such a treasure is if the blood was willingly given by the animal. Taking the blood forcefully or even killing the animal in the process would curse the drinker forever.

This step would have been incredibly expensive, was it not for the amount of Basilisk venom he owned. Harry intended to trade a vial of Basilisk venom for a vial of equal size, filled with uncursed unicorn blood.

He had no idea where to find a buyer and needed absolute discretion. Therefore, he had drafted a letter for Borgin & Burks and sent it to the shop over a month ago.

Dear Mr. Borgin,

I find myself in need of a very rare ingredient and I was hoping you to arrange a trade with an even rarer potion ingredient I currently possess.

Since absolute discretion is necessary, I shall provide my name and a more detailed nature of the ingredient during further correspondence.

Should you be interested to organize such trade between me and the third party of your knowledge, you will of course be compensated for your efforts generously.

My owl will wait for your reply.

In high hopes for a successful business transaction,

Mr. Evans

Two Days later, Hedwig came back with a letter for him.

Dear Mr. Evans

I find myself curious about what rare ingredients you currently possess and would like to receive in exchange. Fortunately for you, I am well connected in the magical world and will be able to provide a business partner with absolute discretion. I myself merely ask for a fee amounting to 2.5% of the current market value of whatever ingredient you may exchange.

I am sure, you will agree that my support, expenditure, and discretion in this transaction are well worth that.

I await detailed information on both ingredients, including an amount and a deadline in your very next letter.