#pepperup potion

@wolfstarmicrofic March 8, word count 347

Sirius had been downing Pepperup potion like it was butterbeer. He felt terrible. His throat hurt, his nose kept running, he ached, and he couldn’t stop shivering. 

Remus stood over him, looking worried. He lit the heater in the centre of the room, hoping it would warm Sirius up. He had already given him all the baskets he could find and some he’d transfigured. But Sirius still couldn’t get warm. 

“Remus,” Sirius said through chattering teeth. “I’m so cold.” 

“I know, but apart from setting your bed alight, I really don’t know what else to do.”

“You’re always so warm, though.” Sirius shook violently. 

“Yeah, but that's a werewolf thing. It’s not a secret I can just give you.” He ran his hand through his hair as he tried to think of a way to help Sirius. 

“Remus, will you just get in here with me and give me your warm.” Remus froze. He’d been very careful around Sirius since he’d realised he had a crush on him, and getting into bed with him would be disastrous. 

“Sirius, no, don’t be silly.”

“Remus, please.” Sirius almost cried. “I need you.” He looked so pitiful all wrapped up in bed, looking so sad that Remus’s resolve melted away and with a deep breath, he climbed under the covers with Sirius. 

Sirius greedily grabbed onto him, snuggling into his chest and sighed in relief. 

“You’re really hot,” Remus said worriedly as he put a hand on Sirius’s forehead. 

“Thanks, I was born this way.” Sirius snickered as he nuzzled his face further into Remus’s chest. Remus had to hold himself very still and stopped breathing for a second. 

So my son and I noticed a tiny inconsistency while reading ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’ last night. In chapter five when the trio are talking about Hogsmeade, Ron mentions Honeydukes and the sweets sold there, the first of which is: ‘Pepper Imps - they make you smoke at the mouth’. Mouth. Not ears, or nose.

It is Pepperup Potion, first mentioned in ‘Chamber of Secrets’, that makes one steam at the ears.

In chapter ten of 'Prisoner of Azkaban’ they are mentioned again: 'tiny black Pepper Imps (“breathe fire for your friends!”)’

So how did the little black candies that made smoke come out of your mouth evolve into, according to Scorpius, “the king of the confectionery bag” which made smoke come out of his ears?

I’m wondering if the source of this change is from the scene in the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory near the beginning of the 'Prisoner of Azkaban’ film. The boys are tossing each other sweets that make them sound like animals. I always imagined they were magical animal crackers. Then Harry gets one that makes steam pour out of his ears and there is a sound like a train whistle or loud tea kettle.

They also went from black to red and presumably from pepper to cinnamon flavor as is sold at Honeydukes at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Pepper_Imps

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Pepperup_Potion

https://www.pottermore.com/features/magical-properties-of-sugar-in-the-wizarding-world

The Pepperup Potion (or Pepper Up Potion) might be the best known potion of all. The matron, your mother, your Professor : everyone always has a flask of this beauty somewhere, just in case. And we all owe to be able to cure a common cold in a few gulps to Glover Hipworth, who invented the potion sometime between the mid-18th and early-19th century. More than curing a cold, the Pepper Up can also be the solution to all kind of problems : difficulty to stay awake, persistent negative thoughts, sudden weakness and uneasiness... During the winter of the 1992–1993 school year, a spate of colds ran through the student body of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and matron of the time Madam Pomfrey used Pepperup Potion to relieve their symptoms. It was also used after the well-remembered second task of the Triwizard Tournament on the hostages and champions, who had been underwater for several hours, fighting for their lives and these of their loved ones.

Though, the liquid still has the nasty side-effect of causing steam to come out of the drinker's ears for several hours after it is imbibed... Not great ! It's main ingredients are bicorn horn and mandrake root, but there's really no need to put the recipe on here, since at least ten people around know how to brew it in a few minutes, and it's only 15 Sickles the three flasks !

Nurse made to me Solutio Calcii chlorati 10% "hot injection"