The Wrong Time

Letters

Hermione finished arranging the celery sticks on the little plate next to a peanut butter sandwich. She set the plate and a cup of milk on Josiah’s table and called him to eat. He sat down at his little table. Ron had left for work, and Hermione was happy for that, because she did not want to talk to him. She was still angry about his carelessness concerning their son.


“Mummy I wike peenuf buwwer,” Josiah said as he bit into sandwich.


“Good, Baby. Eat your celery too,” she told him, and he grinned a peanut buttery smile.


She took out a quill and parchment and composed a letter to Minerva McGonagall.


Dearest Minerva,

I hope all is well. Things are fine here. Josiah is getting very big! I have been doing well with my potions manufacturing. As a side project, however, I have been attempting to create a breakthrough potion for lycanthropy. I have been struggling with it as of late, but I know that you know some talented potions masters and mistresses, and I was hoping that perhaps you could recommend someone who might be able to assist me. I would of course be willing to share in the patent, both in monetary gain and recognition. Please owl me back if you can help me.

All My Love,

Hermione Weasley


Hermione folded the parchment and called for her owl, Eros.


“Take this to Minerva McGonagall,” she told the owl, who hooted in understanding.


She cleaned up Josiah and took him to his bedroom for his nap. After she got him settled, she walked to her basement lab and proceeded to bottle and label the completed Polyjuice potion. She hoped Minerva would get back to her soon.


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Minerva sat back in the creaky leather armchair, and read the letter again. There was only one person in the whole world who was qualified for such a task. She promised him she would not contact him unless it would be completely worth his while, and she felt that now was the time. She conjured a quill and parchment and began to write.


Dearest Silvano,

I know you are not one for idle chitchat, so I will keep this brief and to the point. A former acquaintance of yours has been making great strides in a cure for lycanthropy, and she requested I find someone who might be able to assist her. I know that there is no one better for this request than you. I know you do not wish to make contact with former acquaintances, however, I believe we can work our way around that perhaps, if she uses an alias in your correspondence, and you keep the work limited to parchment, rather than practical. Owl me if you are interested please.

Sincerely,

Minerva


Minerva sent the parchment and waited for a reply. It had to travel to Italy, but she was sure that he would respond promptly.


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Silvano Scolari stared at the parchment for what seemed like hours. He had taken great lengths to keep anyone from his past out, save for Minerva. A breakthrough in lycanthropy would prove to be lucrative indeed, however. He felt torn. He ran a tanned hand through his short brown hair.


He sighed. Minerva was right. They could correspond through owl post, and he need not let the woman know who he was. He did not need to know who she was either. Perhaps this could be a worthwhile investment. Minerva did not place her faith in many, and if Minerva truly felt that the woman could find the cure, then he was sure she could.


He rubbed his neck, clad in high collared robes. He had worn high collared robes for twenty years now. He did not want anyone gawking at his scar. Too many assumed it was a vampire bite, and therefore treated him like scum. He had been treated as such for long enough in his life, and he vowed never again to give anyone reason to treat him that way again.


He poised the quill carefully over the parchment, and tried to carefully choose his words.


Minerva,

I consent for you to allow the woman to contact me. I would prefer she use an alias, for reasons of which you are well aware. You may give her the name I have been using for the last twenty years, and the means in which to contact me. I await a response from her.


Silvano Scolari


He sighed as he watched the owl growing smaller and smaller in the distance. What had he signed himself up for?


A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! Please keep the reviews coming!