The Assistant: Echoes of the Dark Arts

On Aconite's Edge

The flickering candlelight cast strange shadows across the walls of Eleonora's quarters as she stared at the ancient, yellowing pages of her leather-bound notebook. The thoughts of the potion swirled in her mind, each ingredient more dangerous than the last. But danger wasn't what weighed on her—it was the thought of what this potion might unleash, how it might change the balance of power.

Severus had been right; they were treading on dangerous ground, but it was the only way forward. There was no room for fear.

A sudden knock at her door pulled Eleonora from her thoughts. She hadn't expected visitors, especially not now, and her mind immediately leaped to Severus, perhaps returning with more insights. But when she opened the door, she found Magnolia standing there, her warm, freckled face glowing with its usual rosy hue. Maggy's long ginger hair was braided, with a few loose strands curling around her face, and her deep blue eyes sparkled, despite the hour.

"Maggy," Eleonora said, slightly surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you weren't at dinner again, and I thought I'd check on you. I brought food," Maggy said, holding up a small, flowery basket filled with bread, cheese, and what appeared to be a homemade vegetable stew in a glass jar. Eleonora hesitated, her mind still spinning from the intense conversation with Severus, but she knew better than to dismiss Maggy's kindness. "Come in," she said, stepping aside to let her  enter.

Maggy floated into the room, her presence an odd but comforting contrast to Eleonora's dark, cluttered quarters. "I know you're busy with that potion project of yours, but you can't keep skipping meals, you know," Maggy chided gently, setting the basket on the small table near the window. Eleonora sighed, her stern demeanor softening as she closed the door behind her. "It's more complicated than you realize, Maggy. I don't have the luxury of time."

The herbology witch raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful grin. "You don't think I understand pressure? Try wrangling a Venomous Tentacula while writing a book on how not to get eaten by it." Eleonora allowed herself a faint smile. Maggy's lightness had a way of seeping into even the most tense situations. "Touché," she admitted, though her mind was still focused on the work that needed to be done. She sat down and stared at the parchment detailing the potion's intricacies, her thoughts drifting back to Severus's voice, the cold efficiency of his words. Maggy followed her gaze. "That looks...intense," she said, leaning over to glance at the notes. "Mind if I take a look?"

Eleonora hesitated. There was an unspoken agreement between her and Severus that no one else would be involved in the brewing process, but something about Maggy's genuine curiosity made her relent. "Fine, but please act casual about it, it's a rather...delicate matter Magnolia" she said and briefly glanced at Maggy intently, sliding the parchment toward her. Maggy's eyes scanned the page, and to Eleonora's surprise, her expression quickly shifted from playful to serious. "You're using aconite?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

"Yes," Eleonora replied. "We're working on something...new that could change whats coming for us, that could change the War." She didn't need to say more. Maggy understood immediately. Maggy's face softened, and she leaned closer, her slender fingers caressing the parchment. "You're mixing it with belladonna? And moonstone? That's brilliant, but... extremely dangerous." "I know," Eleonora said, her voice steady. "That's why Severus and I are doing it together. But we could use someone with your knowledge of plants." Maggy straightened up, her blue eyes widening. "You want my help?"

Eleonora nodded. "Severus has his potions expertise, but you understand plants in ways we don't. You could help us make sure the aconite and belladonna interact the way we need them to." Maggy didn't answer immediately, biting her lip as she considered the proposal. The room was quiet for a moment, save for the soft crackle of the fire.

"If this potion does what you think it will," Maggy began, "you'll be messing with some seriously dark magic. Are you sure this is the right path?" Eleonora's jaw tightened. "It's the only path."

Maggy met her gaze, searching her eyes for any hesitation, but Eleonora's determination was unwavering. "Alright," Maggy said finally. "I'm in. But if I'm going to help, we need to make sure we're using the right kind of aconite. There are different strains—some are more potent, and if we use the wrong one, we could end up amplifying the effects too much." Eleonora nodded, her respect for Maggy's expertise deepening. "Do you know where we can get the right strain?"

"I've got some in the greenhouses," Maggy said, her lips twitching into a smile. "It's dangerous stuff, though. I've had to keep it under lock and key. But if we use it correctly, it could be exactly what you need." As Eleonora processed Maggy's words, she felt a strange sense of relief. 

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Later that night, the two witches crept through the dimly lit halls of Hogwarts, making their way toward the greenhouses. The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows over the castle grounds. The silence was thick, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. "I don't like this," Maggy whispered as they approached the greenhouse door. "I feel like we're about to rob Gringotts."

"We're just borrowing from your own stash," Eleonora replied dryly, though her voice was equally hushed. Maggy gave a small chuckle, but the tension in her posture betrayed her nerves. She unlocked the greenhouse door with a wave of her wand, and they slipped inside. The air was thick with humidity, the smell of soil and various magical plants surrounding them.

Maggy led the way through the rows of plants, her movements swift and practiced. "It's here," she said, stopping in front of a tall, spiky plant with dark, purple flowers. The aconite. Eleonora studied the plant carefully, noting the intensity of its color and the subtle shimmer on its petals—a sign of its potency. "That's the right one?"

Maggy nodded. "This is it. But extracting the essence won't be easy. One wrong move, and we could end up poisoned." "Then we'll be careful," Eleonora said, her voice steady. Maggy pulled on a pair of thick, dragonhide gloves and carefully snipped one of the flowers from the plant. As she worked, Eleonora watched her with admiration. Despite her usual playful demeanor, Maggy was meticulous and precise when it came to her plants.

As they carefully collected the aconite, the greenhouse door creaked open behind them.Eleonora spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. Standing in the doorway, his face hidden in shadow, was Severus. As he patrolled through the castel earlier he was sure that he catched two shadows, hurrying down to the greenhouse, of course he thought he would find students sneaking around curfew, almost thrilled to give out detention tonight, he had followed them silently.

"What do you think you're doing?" Severus's voice was low and dangerous, his dark eyes flashing as he stepped forward. 

Maggy straightened up, her hands still holding the aconite. "I'm-...helping." Severus's gaze flicked to the plant in her hands, and his expression hardened. "This isn't a game, Blossomforth, no silly gardening experience." Severus spat. "I know that," Maggy shot back, her usual lightness gone. "But if you're going to use aconite, you'd better use the right kind. I'm not just going to sit around while you two blow yourselves up." Severus's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the tension in the room was palpable. Eleonora stepped between them, her voice calm but firm. "She's right, Severus. We need her."

Severus looked from Eleonora to Maggy, his jaw clenched. For a moment, it seemed like he might argue, but then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if anything goes wrong, it's on you." He pinched the bridge of his hooked nose and gave Eleonora another warning glance. Maggy gave a small, triumphant smile, and Eleonora felt a wave of relief wash over her. The three of them were in this together now.

They carefully packed the aconite and prepared to leave the greenhouse. The night air was cold as they made their way back to the dungeons.