[Dorian freezes. Could he be? Could the portrait protect him? But that doesn't make sense. It keeps his body constant. It doesn't affect his mind. And no other magic has failed to work on him.]
[Dorian takes the vial back. He looks at a moment, frowning. And then he throws it back and finishes it off. And he hopes, he truly hopes, that he works. He doesn't want this to happen to him.]
My name is Hermione Grange—damn! [Glancing at her, he flushes.] I apologize for my crudeness. [Swearing is rude.] I do think . . . it works on me.
[—wait, that isn't what he meant to say. Um.]
My name is Dorian [good] Granger. [WHAT?]
[He pauses, open mouthed. He has no idea now.] Ah?
No, that's alright, there's nothing to apologise for.
[ She feels like she might end up swearing a little herself. She doesn't understand why it's not working, and her frown is obvious as she steps forward, putting a hand on his shoulder. ]
Yes. [There's a lie. He frowns very hard as he tries to figure out how to get around this.] What would you say if I told you that now I keep feeling compelled to lie, although it isn't so strong I can't avoid it sometimes?
I would say the potion isn't working as it's supposed to. [ She frowns, looking over at the cauldron. She was sure she had done everything right, followed each step by the book, and this is the first time one of her potions hasn't worked. ] It should be fine, I did everything right...
[He is quiet for a moment, more for trying to work around the compulsion to lie than for lack of knowing what to say. It works on him. It didn't work on his first sip. And now it is working to reverse effect.] Could it be the Drabwurld, not me?
I think so. I'm still a little unsure about how the magic here works, which is rather irritating, but I'm working on it. [ She shakes her head. ] At least we know we don't have a one hundred percent success rate.
I wis we might know how often it succeeds. [At least he managed to get out that truth.] How long does it take you to make this? A broader experiment would—[and here it goes]—n't help.
It should work a hundred percent of the time, so the Drabworld is obviously having an influence. [ She looks over, nodding her head. ] Twenty eight days. I could make a few batches and we can test those?
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I . . . I don't know. Should I try again?
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[ Hermione moves, offering the vial, just over half left. ]
Try finishing it.
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My name is Hermione Grange—damn! [Glancing at her, he flushes.] I apologize for my crudeness. [Swearing is rude.] I do think . . . it works on me.
[—wait, that isn't what he meant to say. Um.]
My name is Dorian [good] Granger. [WHAT?]
[He pauses, open mouthed. He has no idea now.] Ah?
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[ She feels like she might end up swearing a little herself. She doesn't understand why it's not working, and her frown is obvious as she steps forward, putting a hand on his shoulder. ]
Dorian, are... Are you feeling alright?
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An hour at most, I think.
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[Look at this poor boy's face as he clings to your hand. This lying is killing him worse than honesty would.]
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[ She squeezes gently, drawing him closer. ]