Calm Before The Storm

Desperate to get as much done as possible before the school became a crowded hub for the Triwizard Tournament, Thane with the permission of Dumbledore confiscated an unused classroom and converted it into his temporary study. While he was tempted to use the Room of Requirement for the sake of space and organization, Thane's work would be frequently inspected by professors for the sake of guidance and supervision. Not that Thane truly needed either, but he would rather have the Room of Requirement remain a closely guarded secret. 

Fortunately, it turned out that Hogwarts' spirit had missed Thane quite a bit and was excited to have him attending once more. So Thane asked the castle if it could lift the anti-transfiguration spell and remove the wards preventing spatial tampering in the room he had chosen. The school was extremely amiable and had no problem fulfilling Thane's request allowing him to modify the room to his desire. 

It only took an afternoon to convert the abandoned classroom into a study, with all the equipment Thane would need, not only to conduct his experiments but record and summarize their relevance, significance, and findings. There would be four experiments in total one for each certification Thane was after, Potions Master, Healer, and Duelist respectively. 

To complete his certification in each field Thane would have to complete an in-depth dissertation on a relevant topic or self-made discovery. While any number of Thane's previous inventions or findings could have easily qualified, this was supposed to be a way to unwind and relax meaning Thane allowed himself to have a little fun when selecting his areas of investigation. 

'For my potions dissertation, I'll create the world's first Mana Restorative Draught. For Healer, invent a treatment for afflictions caused by permanent spell damage. And to become a world-renowned duelist...I'll make a new branch of combat-oriented magic, I've always wondered if formations could be condensed into spell form.' 

With his goals set Thane wasted no time already counting down the two months he had until the other schools arrived which would undoubtedly kick start whatever chaos was scheduled for the year ahead. 

 Instead of focusing on one dissertation at a time Thane worked in stages as some of his experiments would eventually overlap in their applications and required steps. For instance, Thane was ninety percent sure that the Mana Restorative Draught would be part of the treatment method to cure permanent spell damage. Both heavily dealt in the soul, with the draught accelerating the soul and pathways' natural absorption and processing of mana, while permanent spell damage was often the result of charms or curses that permanently altered the soul presenting as insanity or madness in those effects. The most infamous examples were those who suffered repeated and prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus Curse, which caused extreme pain by targeting the soul while leaving the body untouched.

To heal the damage Thane would most likely use the mana draught to stimulate the soul allowing him to see precisely where the damage was. Though of course, Thane would have to create the potion first, which proved most difficult seeing as most potions that caused the drastic reaction Thane was seeking took months of preparation to take effect, such as the polyjuice potion or animagus ritual. However, after a bit of calculation, Thane figured that he could rely on the soul-piercing nature of Basilisk Venom, which was the reason why his healing potions were so effective. 

Standing in front of an enchanted chalkboard Thane wrote out a series of potential formulas knowing that a mere microgram could be the difference between life-saving medicine and certain death, 'The soul will sense the poison and immediately react to try and save itself stimulating the pathways and increasing mana absorption. But nothing short of a lethal dose will cause enough stimulus to produce a significant result, so I either need to create a nonlethal version of the venom or somehow include a cure within the potion itself...but is that even possible surely they would cancel each other out when brewed...unless I include a buffer which could-' 

Thane's pondering was interrupted by one solid knock on the door and a quick scan with his magical senses revealed who it was, "Hello Dear...it's not dinner time yet, is it?" 

Daphne stepped into the study casting her eyes around the room before focusing on Thane who still had yet to turn away from the chalkboard, "Don't tell me that you find a flat board more appealing than your fiancee." 

Thane flinched but managed to pull his eyes away from the formula with visible effort, "I'm sorry, but I'm this close to moving past conceptualization into proper experimentation if I manage to complete this before the other schools-" 

"I'm afraid that you're too late," Daphne interrupted with a pitying smile, "That's why I came to get you, the whole school is gathering in the main courtyard to receive Durmstrang and Beauxbaton and Dumbledore specifically entrusted me to get you to attend. He also has a proposition for you as well, something regarding a supply of phoenix tears?" 

Thane froze on the spot, first at the mention of him missing his window of peace and second when Daphne mentioned phoenix tears, "How did he...never mind. It seems as if I don't have a choice in the matter." 

Thane waved his hand causing the various books and items in the room to organize themselves leaving a clean space he could return to once the monetary distraction was concluded. 

---

"Ah, Lord Fae I'm so glad you could join us," Dumbledore greeted with a mischievous smile and an amused twinkle in his eyes. 

Thane regarded the old Mage with narrowed eyes as he walked over to stand with all the professors while the entire student body flooded into the courtyard behind him, "That was a dirty move using my fiancee Headmaster." 

Dumbledore only chuckled softly, "I'm afraid it was, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me." 

"Only if you tell me, how you knew I would need phoenix tears for my potion work," Thane countered as he stopped beside the headmaster and looked into the clear night sky. 

"It was an estimated guess, two of your dissertations are dealing with matters of healing and the soul. In that regard, there is no alchemical ingredient more potent than phoenix tears." Dumbledore answered with a knowing glance that left Thane feeling rather helpless. 

Thane let out a surrendering sigh, "Alright what do you want in return? A donation to the school?" 

"You could consider it a donation," Dumbledore replied mystically, and as he stroked his beard a pit formed in Thane's stomach, "What is it?" 

"I want you to put your name into the Goblet of Fire." 

"Absolutely not," Thane replied instantly before leveling a glare at Dumbledore, "What game are you playing at old man?" 

Thane's outburst gained him a series of glares from the other professors except Moody who cackled but Dumbledore didn't seem to mind in the least, "Do you seriously have that much of an aversion to the Tournament that you won't even risk the very small chance that your name is selected for a potentially infinite supply of the strongest magical healing substance on the planet?" 

"Let me answer that question with a question," Thane replied as he glanced at Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye, "Why do you want me to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?" 

"The answer is rather simple...I want Hogwarts to win," Dumbledore answered, "Currently we are one loss away from a tie with Beauxbaton but Drumstang is still far in the lead. Also, their current Headmaster Igor Karkaroff was a former Death Eater...with the recent attack, I don't think it would be the best look to have a school known for embracing Dark Magic coming out on top. Don't you agree?" 

"I could care less about the image of this country," Thane muttered, "But I can see how that impression could cause events to spiral out of control...very well you have a deal. I'll throw my wand in the ring." 

Dumbledore grinned his teeth visible briefly underneath his beard, "Excellent, then I'll introduce you to Fawkes after dinner. Now where is-" 

Before Dumbledore could complete his sentence a large shape started to descend from the night sky causing everyone in the courtyard to explain and point upwards, "Ah, there they are, one schedule as always."