Potions Lesson 1, 5th Years, Term 5

[Desideria Tapia]

The first afternoon back to classes and things were looking bright. This year her fifth years would be starting with a potion that could be silly but deadly at the same time. A strengthening potion, just one of the many they'd be brewing that year which were regarded as slightly dangerous. The strengthening solution was a great potion that could help, or hinder, the drinker. Depending on what they used the potion for. And it just so happened she was going to be giving away a free sample that afternoon to the student who did the best in her class. The most answered questions, the potion which was nearly on the dot of where it needed to be, that student would be receiving a free gift to take from that very room, an almost unheard of action.

Having padded her entire room and removed all things breakable, the woman sat at her desk with a pad of paper and open books taking notes that she hoped would help with a botanical problem she'd encountered a few weeks prior and without a new Herbology Professor having been hired she was on her own.

On the board behind her large frame was written:

Welcome!
Lesson 1
5th Years
Strengthening Solution
D. Tapia

[mcnutt]

The walk from his common room to the Potions class was a relatively short one, and Dustan thought he had taken his time. Little did he know everyone else seemed to be taking their time as well. The corridors were noiseless as he stepped lightly down the hall, turning this way and that, snaking his way from the depths beneath the Great Lake to where his class was located. And upon entering, his jaw dropped at the sight of the empty room, having expected most to already be in attendance.

"Whoa..." he spoke softly, looking at the padded walls and then the blackboard. What was the woman thinking? It looked like he had just stepped into a high security insane asylum, though, he had to admit it was pretty cool. Walking himself to a table, Dustan glanced around, taking in all the softness that was now the walls. The woman had done an awesome job at what she did.

Tapping his fingers on the desk, he rummaged through his bag to find his potions book so he could study the lesson beforehand, wondering if Lianna or Abigail might join him during the class period.

[Karina Morandi]

After going through a whole day of classes Kari was already tired. So the journey from Gryffindor Tower to the dungeons was longer than the fifth year would have liked it to be. Well, at least the class was potions which wasn't all that bad in her book. Though she wasn't really prepared for the decorations of the dungeon classroom today. At first Kari thought she stepped into the wrong classroom but after seeing their professor at her desk there could be no doubt about it.

The entire place was padded like that place for crazy people in muggle movies. Though the idea of running into them was rather tempting. However Kari wasn't willing to do that in front of the teacher. Though if there were individual pillows everywhere then that would be another story. Slowly wandering toward a table Karina put her things down wondering what their professor was going to make them do today with the strenghtening solution that was written on the board.

[mcnutt]

Hearing the quiet arrival of a newcomer, Dustan glanced up hoping it'd be one of his friends, but he was slightly disappointed to see it was someone unfamiliar to the young man. Her face was familiar, but to match a name to it would be pulling at strings he didn't rightfully have rights to pull. The coloring of her robes gave way to the fact she was a Gryffindor, and obviously female. Observing her movements as she walked in, Dustan tried not to make it noticeable he was watching, though he thought her expression in seeing the room was worth being noticed.

As she took a seat not far away, Dustan gave a wry smile before shoving his nose back in his potions book. If he had to speak, he knew how it'd turn out, he'd stutter, she'd look at him weird, and then he'd never be able to face her again. his very own life in a short matter of moments. What else was new?

[Desideria Tapia]

Well, this was a rather disappointing turn out for such a fun lesson. Glancing about, she noticed the number had dwindled greatly from what she'd been expecting. Nevermind though, the solution would be easier to handle with a fewer amount of students, they'd have more of a ball with it at any rate. If there was room to move about and test their potions, then they could easily have the chance to get greater appreciation for those who want to be a little stronger for just a bit longer, and if there was time, maybe she'd hand a little bit of a stronger solution out so they could see the effects of that.

But first, she needed to discuss with her students what the potion was, the effects of it, and just why it was considered so dangerous.

"Good afternoon," she called out, keeping an eye on the open book before her. "Today we'll be learning of the Strengthening Solution, what it does, what could happen if brewed incorrectly, and why the Ministry deems it a dangerous potion. Who would like to start?" Raising her eyebrows, the woman peered over the tops of her glasses and waited for someone to speak up. Points were always generously awarded in her class, and would be done so here and now as well.