"Phew!"
The day before her birthday, Harley finally finished writing the article and correcting all the formatting.
A complete Potions paper had to include the key elements of the research, the process of improving the Potion, the principles behind it, the data from failed experiments, and a theoretical analysis of the improvements...
Although much of that involved a Potion Master's trade secrets, the Beyonder Apothecary Association allowed Potion Masters to withhold some information when their papers were reviewed.
But you still had to write something, at least. If you said nothing at all, how could you make the paper sound professional?
That had put Harley through the wringer. She'd spent a great deal of time over the past two days bringing the paper up to Professor Slughorn's standards.
Harley leaned back and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
Hedwig stood beside the desk, looking at her reproachfully.
Over the past two days, Hedwig had already made several trips between Harley, Professor Slughorn, and Professor Snape.
Owls have no rights, do they?
Harley quickly sat upright, sealed the paper, and tucked it into the small pouch on Hedwig's leg, which had been enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm. Then she rubbed Hedwig's little head.
"Hedwig, could you make one more trip for me? Send it to Professor Slughorn again.
"But I promise this is the last time. After this, you can have a little vacation. I'll even brew you some more semi-finished hydrosols and essential oils."
Hedwig gave her a helpless look, then obediently rubbed against Harley's hand before flying out the window.
Watching Hedwig disappear, Harley let out a long sigh.
Come to think of it, she'd spent two hours writing the paper and then two days fixing the formatting. What a pain!
At least it was all over now. Professor