Strings of Fate

Cam 22- Glitter and gimmicks

Harry is bouncing in place, eager to see what kind of mischief we can get up to. My home. might have been fairly serious growing up, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t find a few practical spells that I adapted to be a little silly. Not that I would have dared to try any of them. But it was fun to think about. I figure I’ll stick with a potion since that’s something Harry can help with too. It won’t be all that fun for him if I’m the one doing all the work. I start listing ingredients and Harry jumps into action to find them for me. He continues asking questions as he has every other time he’s been in here to make sure he’s doing things right, but he’s got my organisational system down now and he knows what most of my basic ingredients are. I did let him put a label on a couple of the nearly identical herbs. I don’t want to accidentally use the wrong one and make a poison instead of a potion. Harry lays out all the ingredients meticulously, and I set up a little saucepan over an electric stovetop which I plug in and set up on the bench.

“What are we making?” Harry asks eagerly.

“It’s a surprise. Now, I need you to measure out three grams of the rose quartz.” I direct. Harry’s eyebrows fly up into his hair and he gapes at me.

“You’re going to let me measure something?” He seems stunned. I shrug.

for sale

“Sure, this isn’t a potion for consuming and it’s not for sale so if you mess something up the world won’t end. I’ll keep an eye out to make sure there’s nothing explosive or anything. It will be interesting to see if you’re any good at it.” I declare.

“But I’m not a Witch. I don’t have magic, at least not the kind that works for this kind of thing.” He reminds me. I roll my eyes dramatically.

“Obviously, I know that. I can do that part. But you can do a lot of the prep. My dad always did the prep for mum’s potions. She HATES measuring out potions. She likes spellwork. She’s basically my opposite.” Harry holds up the measured out quartz for my approval and I nod.

“Are spells and potions that different? I thought Witches learned both.” He wonders. I shrug.

“Sure, but a person can know how to bake and how to cook, that doesn’t mean they love both.

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Cam 22- Glitter and gimmicks

Most of them have a preference. I’m okay at spellwork, but it’s very rigid. You have to follow strict rules and even the slightest variation can have catastrophic effects. It is not something you can stop part way or change your mind about. You need to be completely confident in the spell and commit to it completely. Potions are a little more relaxed. You can mix and match and see how it turns up. Sure it can still go wrong, but it’s usually more intentional and easier to control. The physical ingredients are easy to measure, controlling thoughts and staying focussed for a spell is harder.” I sigh.

says measuring things out and keeping track of and memorising the ingredients is hellish and that spells are just a matter of being a decisive and confident person.” I frown. Mum always insisted I would do better on my spellwork if I stopped worrying about it

make sense for you. But I don’t

admit that my family doesn’t exactly bring out my confident side. I’m not the same around them.” That’s just depressing. I’m not able to be myself around the people who raised me, the people who should love me

family. So next up you need to grind up the rose quartz. There’s a mortar and pestle there that your can use.” I poke his arm to get

ideas on

have plenty of ideas on ways to keep you distracted if this isn’t working.” He lowers his voice seductively and I glare

opens his mouth to answer and

we won’t have time. It have invoices I could be sorting through.” I warn. Harry snaps his mouth shut, gives a cheeky salute

finished and I tell Harry to step

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22- Glitter and gimmicks

while I heat it up with the little stove.

you’re making potions.” He

ask incredulously. He’s been constantly hanging around

I fall silent. How am I supposed

potion is a bubblegum pink colour and it’s just about to come. to a

tell him patiently. Five minutes later the potion is more of a pastel

for the fun part. Grab a spoonful of the potion. DON’T

scoops up a spoonful of the jelly

it?” Harry

I gesture in the general direction of the door, away

a

it, you’ll see.” I promise. Harry shrugs and flings the potion into the air. Within a few moments of being airborne the potion changes from liquid to gas

It kind of looks like a little kid’s dream decorations for some unicorn princess themed party. What exactly IS the potion?” He asks. I