The successful transformation of the Bone-Growing Charm meant Will's Potion Transfiguration Theory had reached maturity.
More than that, he had mastered a form of spellcasting all his own, separate from both Runes and the Modern Charms derived from them.
It was a way for a wizard to construct spells through his own magic, without the aid of incantations.
Will was in high spirits. For the next while, he planned to choose a batch of potions to turn into spells. It would let him gain experience, and it would give him practice before he tackled Felix Felicis.
That was right: Will had set his sights on Felix Felicis.
Felix Felicis was a famous potion said to bring good luck. In reality, that "luck" came from a dramatic boost to the drinker's abilities—including social skills, magical ability, and reaction speed—making everything seem to go their way.
It was practically a powerful, all-around buff, and it lasted at least twelve hours.
If Will could turn Felix Felicis into a spell, he could give himself that buff whenever he wanted. And from what he had read, its effect on a person's ability to think was astonishing.
Research often depended on exactly that, so turning Felix Felicis into a spell could pay off handsomely for him.
In early May, on a bright day, the Scottish Highlands were pleasantly warm.
Sunlight glittered on the rippling Black Lake, and a warm breeze swept across the grass.
Young wizards were scattered around the lake at Hogwarts. Some basked lazily in the sun, some played together, and others sat by the water with homemade fishing rods.
For the first time in ages, Will sat beside the Black Lake too, soaking up the sun with a Potions book in his hands.
His success with Potion Transfiguration had let him